A LABOUR MP says more work is needed to identify pensioners in her constituency who will be hit hard by the loss of winter fuel payments.
The new MP for Monmouthshire has called for a push to identify those who aren’t currently claiming their full benefit entitlement ahead of her government’s decision to means-test winter fuel payments to only those pensioners receiving pension credit and some other benefits.
Catherine Fookes, who won the seat from the Conservatives at July’s general election—having highlighted the cost of living as her priority—has, however, backed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s decision. She blamed the previous Conservative administration’s £22 billion black hole in government finances for the decision.
DIFFICULT DECISIONS
Ms Fookes told BBC Radio Wales: “We’ve got to make some difficult decisions, now the grown ups are back in the room and Labour’s in charge.”
She said it would target support at those pensioners who most need help and claimed some have told her they don’t require the additional payments of between £100 and £300.
“I know people that have said to me that they’ve actually given that money away to charity because they didn’t need it.”
Figures show 20,926 pensioners in Monmouthshire will no longer receive the payments from this autumn, a reduction of 91.92 percent of those eligible. In most cases, support will be limited to couples with an income of less than £332.95 a week, which is £17,313 a year, or £218.15 for single pensioners, which is £11,343 over a year.
The energy price cap, which limits what householders pay for each unit of gas and electricity used, is due to be announced this Friday. Experts expect it to increase due to increases in wholesale prices paid by suppliers.
The MP added: “It’s important to say we must help those that are not yet on pensions credit, that should be, to get on it.”
Across the UK, there are some 800,000 pensioners entitled to pension credit who aren’t receiving the benefit.
Following the interview Ms Fookes said she is “extremely sympathetic” to those who will be impacted by the loss of winter fuel payments and said her office could support those who could be entitled to more help.
She said: “I will be redoubling my efforts to ensure that pensioners who are struggling have access to all the benefits they are entitled to. My office is here to support anyone facing difficulties in Monmouthshire, and I can assist residents with applying for Pension Credit or other benefits they are entitled to. So, if anyone needs help, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].”
The MP also highlighted Monmouthshire council’s partnership with the charity Severn Wye Energy, which provides free advice and support to help people heat and power their home affordably.
People can access the service by calling 0800 1701600. The council’s housing support team can also help households check if they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to. Residents can call 01633 740730 or email [email protected]
Ms Fookes added: “As I said in my maiden speech, tackling inequality is a top priority for me, and I will work hard to hold the government to account on this.”
FUEL POVERTY
The Conservative councillor for Usk and Llanbadoc, Tony Kear, wrote to Ms Fookes following the government’s announcement and asked if it could “push some vulnerable Monmouthshire pensioners into fuel poverty and force them into a decision about heating or eating.”
Cllr Kear said Ms Fookes has since called him and said: “Catherine Fookes and I agree that with approximately 20,000 pensioners in Monmouthshire affected by this we should work together to identify who will be badly affected.”
The councillor said the MP told him she intended to work with the Department of Work and Pensions to identify those who need additional help. He said he is encouraging pensioners in his ward to contact him if they fear they will be badly affected.
He said: “I can help them potentially apply for pensions credit or other appropriate benefits through Monmouthshire County Council.”
WG KICKS THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD
Replying to a written question from Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Government Minister Jane Hutt said: “The decision that the Winter Fuel Payment will no longer be universal risks pushing some pensioners into fuel poverty. This is why I am keen to work closely with the new UK Government on our shared ambition of tackling poverty to develop a permanent, effective form of protection for households in need.
“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring people in Wales claim every pound to which they are entitled and has a well-established Income Maximisation Stakeholder Group to drive the work forward. We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to work with Welsh local authorities on a Pension Credit take-up campaign.”
Andrew RT Davies responded: “Scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment is unforgivable.
“The move is a conscious decision by Labour to allow pensioners to be pushed into fuel poverty, and that decision should be reversed.
“The Labour Welsh Government should scrap their £120 million vanity project of more politicians and focus on keeping pensioners warm this winter.”
Speaking to a packed House of Commons at the end of July, Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, referred to a public spending audit she had requested from Treasury officials. Reeves said it described the economic legacy she had been left as “unforgivable” and announced a series of decisions designed to reduce spending.
However, she also announced that public sector pay recommendations were being accepted in full, meaning 5.5% rises for NHS workers and teachers, 6% for the armed forces, 5% for the prison service, and 4.75% for the police. Junior doctors in England were also offered a 22% pay rise over two years.
Reeves explained that the pay deals will cost an additional £9.4 billion, with two-thirds of this funded by central government, and all departments asked to find savings totalling £3 billion to make up the rest.
The result of the pay awards and the recalculated departmental spending, the Chancellor said, was a “£22 billion hole in the public finances” which required “immediate reductions in spending.”
