Matthew Snedker, leader of the Green Party councillors in Darlington, today
demanded an about-turn on plans to scrap the universal winter fuel
allowance.
“I met with members of Age UK today because I am so worried about the way
older people in Darlington will be put at risk,” he said. “Labour themselves
have estimated that, in England, 4,000 people may die if the policy is
pursued.
“I join with Age UK and other charities in calling on the Government to pause
their means-testing decision until it can be properly considered as part of
the Spending Review next Spring, because we are hurtling towards up to ten
million pensioners losing their Winter Fuel Payment imminently when they
simply can’t afford it.
“In the past, Labour repeatedly warned Conservative governments against
cutting universal fuel allowance because of the risks to older people. Now
they are doing it themselves.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that she intended to restrict
the payment to just those who get Pension Credit, which is received only by
the poorest old folk. Currently, Pension Credit tops up a single person’s
weekly pension to £218.15 or £332.95 for a couple.
Those who qualify currently get £200 to help with winter fuel payments or
£300 for over-80s.
Cllr Bryony Holroyd, the Greens’ shadow heath and portfolio holder, said:
“Pensioners in Darlington will be disproportionately affected because we
have older, more hard-to-heat properties, our pensioners tend to be less
well-off and in poorer health.
“This Labour decision will deepen the divide between north and south, rich
and poor.”
She said the Green Party supports the principle of universal benefits and are
clear that many of those who will lose their automatic right to this allowance
are likely to suffer distress, increased poverty and health impacts. As well as
the risk of leaving elderly people having to choose between heating and
eating, the switch away from universal benefits costs more in administration
and will push up NHS costs as people fall ill and need expensive care in
hospital.
“Instead of cutting this allowance, Labour should be funding it through
closing tax loopholes and asking the very wealthy to pay a little more.”