Welsh Parliament vote calling on Labour to save winter fuel payments
A question on 8 February 2022 from Vikki Howells MS Cynon Valley to the First Minister:
When the Minister for Social Justice was speaking to the cross-party group on poverty, it was noted that many people eligible for the winter fuel support scheme had not, at that point, applied for the support.
Can you provide any update on this and perhaps outline what additional work the Welsh Government is doing to make sure anyone who is eligible receives this funding?
How will Vikki Howells Cynon Valley MS vote on the UK Government to reverse its decision to end the universal winter fuel payment, which Welsh Labour MSs will vote on?
5. 5. Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Energy Efficiency
Vikki Howells MS Cynon Valley: Moreover tackling the fuel poverty that can be both cause and effect of energy inefficiency remains a key challenge for us in terms of tackling social justice. It is this aspect of the motion that I want to focus my remarks on today, expanding on ideas and concepts contained in my short debate last week on poverty in Wales.
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/senedd/?id=2017-06-28.5.19190
The UK Labour Government’s decision to end universal winter fuel payments will have a devastating impact on pensioners up and down Wales. With around 400,000 households, and 540,000 Welsh pensioners now not receiving up to £300 this winter.
Mark Drakeford has accused the UK Government of imposing “cruel and deliberate cuts” to the benefits Welsh families receive.
The then First Minister was responding to a question from Labour MS Vikki Howells on the impact of the stark rise in the cost of living when he launched the scathing attack on Boris Johnson’s Conservative administration in Westminster.
As outlined by the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Culture, Trefyndd and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt MS, in response to a written question by Welsh Conservative Leader, Andrew RT Davies MS, the UK Labour Government’s decision to end universal winter fuel payments will risk pushing some pensioners into fuel poverty.
In the Senedd this week (18/07/24), the Welsh Conservatives have submitted a Senedd motion calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision to end the universal winter fuel payment, which Welsh Labour MSs will vote on.
Commenting ahead of the debate, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS, said:
“This debate is a chance for Labour MSs to show that they have the courage to put their constituents’ interests before their party interests.
“The Welsh Conservatives will not stop fighting to keep pensioners warm this winter.”
Also commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Social Partnership and Social Justice, Joel James MS, said:
“Labour’s shameful decision to scrap winter fuel payments risks creating a fuel poverty crisis among pensioners in Wales.
“In the Senedd this week, I look forward to bringing forward our Welsh Conservative debate calling on the UK Government to reverse their decision to end the universal winter fuel payment.”
Responding to Winter Fuel Payments being cut, Chief Executive of Age Cymru, Victoria Lloyd, said:
“Age Cymru firmly believe that cutting the winter fuel payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong decision.
“People have been sharing with us how they’ll struggle this winter without the winter fuel payment, we have heard from people who have long term health conditions who need to have a warm home and will need to cut back on food to ensure that their homes are warm.”
The motion which will be debated this week reads:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Expresses deep concern that around 400,000 households in Wales will lose up to £300 per person after the UK Government’s decision to end the universal Winter Fuel Payment.
2. Notes the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip’s response to WQ93698 where she stated that the UK Government’s decision to end the Winter Fuel Payment will risk pushing some pensioners into fuel poverty.
3. Calls on the UK Government to reverse their decision to end the universal Winter Fuel Payment.
Dear First Minister,
Age Cymru is working towards a vision where society supports all people in Wales to have the best experience of later life. Older people are valued, included and able to shape decisions affecting their lives. Our teams across Wales look to improve the lives of older people by delivering trusted advice, support and services. We use our knowledge, insight and experience to influence policies and decisions affecting older people.
We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate you on becoming First Minister and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss the experiences of older people in Wales in due course. However, at this time we wish to share our deep concern about the UK Government’s proposed changes to the Winter Fuel Payment which will impact thousands of older people across Wales. We firmly believe that cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong decision.
In Age Cymru’s 2024 annual survey of over 1300 older people across Wales we heard that almost half of older people found cost of living to be a challenge over the last 12 months, and over half of older people had issues with their physical health. This will only worsen with cuts to this vital financial support during the winter months.
There are 3 key groups of older people we’re particularly worried about:
- Those who just miss out on Pension Credit because their very modest incomes are slightly too high for them to be eligible, usually because they have a tiny occupational pension. Many of these are women.
- Those with high energy needs because of disability or illness, and/or who live in energy inefficient homes which cost a lot of money to heat.
- 56,100 people aged 66 and older in Wales who will miss out on the Winter Fuel Payments due to means testing but are eligible but not in receipt of Pension Credit.
There has only been three months warning for this change – and older people will have expected to have this money in their pockets this year. There simply isn’t long enough for many to work out another plan. The UK Government has said more will be done to encourage those entitled to Pension Credit to claim it, but this will take time and won’t stop many missing out this year.
Pensioners will also have up to £600 less this winter in UK Government support with their heating bills, compared to last year, because the cost-of-living payments brought in temporarily by the previous Government have now stopped.
We’re working with our partner, Age UK, on their petition ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ and 18,067 signatures are from older people or from family or friends of older people across Wales. We have been able to break the data of the signatories down, showing the concerns of people ahead of the debate in the House of Commons (September 10th).
- 16,441 of those who signed the petition in Wales said that cutting Winter Fuel Payment affects them or a loved one
- 4,207 people who signed the petition in Wales told us they are just above the threshold to receive Pension Credit
- 1,317 people who signed the petition in Wales said they have caring responsibilities.
- 408 of those with caring responsibilities are just about the threshold to receive Pension Credit
- 935 people told us they are just above the threshold to receive Pension Credit in Wales also said they pay rent or a mortgage
- 650 of those who signed the petition in Wales who told us they are just above the threshold to receive Pension Credit also said they receive attendance allowance or PIP
People have been sharing with us how they feel they’ll really struggle without the WFP – including cutting down on food, heating and hot water. We are hearing from people with long term health conditions who must have a warm home, so have told us that they will have to cut back on food.
We would be pleased to work with you to mitigate these impacts and if it would be helpful, we would be happy to arrange for you to hear some of the concerns directly from older people.
Yours Sincerely,
Victoria Lloyd (Chief Executive)
