Councillor Ballsdon to move:

This Council notes:

·       The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

·       The estimated impact of this decision, which Age UK says will mean two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it because of the Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit.

·       This Council further notes that individuals no longer receive Pension Credit if they have an income above £11,343, so there are many older people who are on lower incomes who will no longer receive Winter Fuel Payments – meaning that Winter Fuel Payments play a significant role in helping older Reading borough residents afford heating during the coldest months.

This Council believes the criticism from Age UK, the Countryside Alliance and other charities, highlights the social injustice, financial hardship and potential health risks posed by the sudden policy change to restrict the availability of Winter Fuel Payments solely to those on Pension Credit.

This Council believes that the decision to impact some of the most vulnerable in society, based on widely contested claims of a financial blackhole, is unjustifiable. In addition, this Council believes the Government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

Therefore, this Council:

1.       Will bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those eligible of Pension Credit with local charities and community organisations to help with access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need;

2.       Instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment to protect vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, from fuel poverty; and 

3.       Will sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and write to all members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.’

Pursuant to Notice, a motion was moved by Councillor Ballsdon and seconded by Councillor Goss.

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Gittings and seconded by Councillor Lanzoni and CARRIED:

‘Delete all after “This Council notes” and insert:

“That the winter fuel allowance was first introduced by the last Labour Government in 1997 as part of a range of measures that lifted over a million pensioners out of poverty.

The Labour Government findings that the previous Conservative Government had hidden £22 billion of net pressures on Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL), with Richard Hughes, Chair, Office for Budget Responsibility, stating in his letter 29 July 2024 his ‘concerns about transparency and credibility of the existing arrangements within government for forecasting and controlling the 40% of public expenditure with DEL’.

The decision to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance came as a direct result of the discovery by the new government of this £22 billion black hole or overspend for the current financial year.

The new Labour Government has confirmed it is committed to maintaining the Triple Lock which will mean the basic state pension will rise by £460 next year and an estimated £1700 over the course of the next Parliament. 

The government has announced it is extending its Household Support Fund to a total of £421 million with Reading receiving over £1,130 million.

This Council believes:

That after 14 years of disastrous Tory government, which has left the nation's finances and public services in a sorry state, that economic stability is the urgent priority for the new government.

Consequently, finite government resources are better directed by targeting the most vulnerable, including pensioners, who will also benefit from Labour's commitment to cut waiting lists in the NHS and the establishment of Great British Energy to help cut the costs of heating bills and ensure energy security.

This Council:

Has already written to 175 households who it believes are entitles to pension credits, encouraging them to apply, teaming up with Age UK to ensure they are supported to do so.

Will be utilising the Household Support Fund to financially assist those in most urgent need of help with energy bills, including for low income residents above the state pension age. This will see 1,100 pensioners receiving £200 this winter.

Continue to Promote our Energy Support Scheme that offers practical advice and support to older people most at risk of being in a cold home such as available grants for home insulation and minor repairs to prevent draughts and other heat loss. 

Has already started, and will continue, its social media and other campaigns to raise awareness of the support available to claim pension credits and household support grant, and other support that is available via the Council’s ‘Money Matter’ page on the website and through local community and voluntary organisations.”

Resolved –

This Council notes:

·       That the winter fuel allowance was first introduced by the last Labour Government in 1997 as part of a range of measures that lifted over a million pensioners out of poverty.

·       The Labour Government findings that the previous Conservative Government had hidden £22 billion of net pressures on Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL), with Richard Hughes, Chair, Office for Budget Responsibility, stating in his letter 29 July 2024 his ‘concerns about transparency and credibility of the existing arrangements within government for forecasting and controlling the 40% of public expenditure with DEL’.

·       The decision to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance came as a direct result of the discovery by the new government of this £22 billion black hole or overspend for the current financial year.

·       The new Labour Government has confirmed it is committed to maintaining the Triple Lock which will mean the basic state pension will rise by £460 next year and an estimated £1700 over the course of the next Parliament. 

·       The Government has announced it is extending its Household Support Fund to a total of £421 million with Reading receiving over £1,130 million.

This Council believes:

·       That after 14 years of disastrous Tory government, which has left the nation's finances and public services in a sorry state, that economic stability is the urgent priority for the new government.

·       Consequently, finite government resources are better directed by targeting the most vulnerable, including pensioners, who will also benefit from Labour's commitment to cut waiting lists in the NHS and the establishment of Great British Energy to help cut the costs of heating bills and ensure energy security.

This Council:

·       Has already written to 175 households who it believes are entitles to pension credits, encouraging them to apply, teaming up with Age UK to ensure they are supported to do so.

·       Will be utilising the Household Support Fund to financially assist those in most urgent need of help with energy bills, including for low income residents above the state pension age. This will see 1,100 pensioners receiving £200 this winter.

·       Continue to Promote our Energy Support Scheme that offers practical advice and support to older people most at risk of being in a cold home such as available grants for home insulation and minor repairs to prevent draughts and other heat loss. 

·       Has already started, and will continue, its social media and other campaigns to raise awareness of the support available to claim pension credits and household support grant, and other support that is available via the Council’s ‘Money Matter’ page on the website and through local community and voluntary organisations.