Poverty warning to Chancellor on eve of Budget
Restricting the Winter Fuel Payment risks cutting a lifeline for thousands of older people in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Chancellor has been warned ahead of the Budget.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, and its Chief Executive Officer Gordon Mole have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, spelling out the consequences of reducing the number of people eligible for Winter Fuel Payment.
The letter follows the unanimously backing of a motion in support of residents considered at the last full meeting of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
The letter says:
The Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across the UK and that suddenly restricting its availability solely to those on Pension Credit risks leaving many pensioners in financial hardship, as thousands of pensioners across our Borough sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance."
With around 25,600 residents in the Borough aged 66 or over, the letter explains how some elderly residents would be classed as deprived, yet may still not be eligible to receive a payment.
The Borough Council is already working to signpost residents to ensure anyone entitled to support can access it.
Simon Tagg added:
As a Council we will do everything we can to help and support our older residents, but councillors at the meeting were very concerned that too many people will have to choose between food and fuel this winter.”