Kevin Foster has called on the Labour Government to reverse its plan to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for approximately 10,000,000 pensioners, including 31,140 across Torbay.
Currently those over State Pension Age can receive an annual Winter Fuel Allowance worth £200 or £300 if aged over 80. The proposed changes would mean in future (Including this winter) only those in receipt of Pension Credit will do so. This means pensioners on modest incomes are set to lose it, not just those on higher earnings.
Labour’s scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners comes despite Labour’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones MP, saying in June Labour had ‘no plans to make changes’ to pensioner benefits. Yet just weeks after the election, the new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a massive cut which will see the number of pensioners eligible fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.
In contrast, under the Conservatives last winter Pensioners received the Winter Fuel Allowance and a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment worth an extra £150 or £300.
Kevin Foster said: “During the recent General Election campaign, those arguing for a change of government reassured pensioners their Winter Fuel Allowance would be protected. Now over 31,000 pensioners across Torbay face having this vital support taken away, just as energy bills are set to rise, leaving many worrying about how they will heat their home this winter”.
“Labour must reverse this decision so those who worked hard and saved all of their life, live with dignity and security in retirement.”
Do you disagree with Labour and think the Winter Fuel Payments should continue?
If so, join over a 114 thousand people who have signed the petition at www.keepwinterfuel.com and support helping our pensioners this winter.
