1 day Ago By BBC
Conservative Senedd members will challenge Labour in Cardiff Bay to back calls for UK Labour ministers to reverse plans to end winter fuel payments for most pensioners, on Wednesday. The opposition party said the "shameful" policy will have a "devastating impact" on pensioners in Wales, with an estimated 500,000 not receiving up to £300 this winter. The Labour government in Cardiff has no powers over the cash but a Welsh minister has said the policy risks pushing some pensioners into "fuel poverty".
The UK government said it was "right that we target support to those who need it most" given "the dire state of the public finances we have inherited". UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves that from this autumn pensioners not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get the annual payment. The plans have been criticised by some (MSs), MPs, unions and charities.
Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan has said "no one in Labour is happy" with the move but it needs to be done to help balance the books. Her said: "The decision that the winter fuel payment will no longer be universal risks pushing some pensioners into fuel poverty." Welsh Conservative leader in Cardiff Bay Andrew RT Davies said the debate and vote was a chance for Labour MSs to "show that they have the courage to put their constituents' interests before their party interests".
Under the changes those entitled to pension credit for at least one day between 16 and 22 September will qualify for the winter fuel payment. The winter fuel payment, until now, has been paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills. The payment was based on the principle that older people would be left exposed and at increased risk if they could not pay for adequate heating.
In July, the chancellor said the payment would now be made only to those on low incomes who receive certain benefits. It means more than 10 million pensioners in England and Wales will no longer get the money. While some say , charities and many politicians are concerned about people still on a relatively small income who will miss out.
The benefit is separate from other support such as cold weather payments and the warm home discount. This year, the winter fuel payment totals £200 for those on certain benefits and born between 23 September, 1944, and 22 September, 1958. For those born before 23 September, 1944, and on certain benefits, it is worth £300.
If you live with someone, and jointly claim benefits, then only one of the couple receives the benefit. It is usually paid automatically in November or December. Those eligible will receive letters in the coming weeks.
The Welsh government has no powers over the payment and the vote in the Senedd will be symbolic. A UK government spokesperson said it was "committed to giving pensioners the dignity and security they deserve in retirement, which is why we are protecting the triple lock with the state pension set to increase by £1,700 over the course of parliament". "But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it's right that we target support to those who need it most.
" The spokesperson said that across England and Wales "over a million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment, many will benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme, and we urge others to check their eligibility for Pension Credit on gov.uk"..
