Older people will be pushed into poverty, says Commissioner
Responding to the Older People’s Commissioner saying more older people will be pushed into poverty this winter, Rhian Bowen-Davies said she was “angry, concerned and very disappointed” with the UK government’s decision to cut the winter fuel payment.
Joel James MS, Shadow Minister for Social Partnership and Social Justice, said:
“The Commissioner is absolutely right in her analysis.
“While every government has to balance the books, it is unforgivable to take away this payment and push so many Welsh pensioners into fuel poverty.
“The UK Government has to change course and keep pensioners warm this winter.”
Labour face legal issues after scrapping Winter Fuel Payment
Reflecting on his questions to Labour’s Counsel General, Mark Isherwood MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Counsel General, said:
“Last week Labour members in the Senedd all voted to stand with their counterparts in Westminster and scrap the Winter Fuel Payment.
“With the legal challenge in Scotland on Labour’s lack of impact assessment, I am concerned that Welsh Labour have not sought appropriate legal advice from UK Labour and have followed them blindly, putting their Party before their constituents.
“Labour’s callous decision to scrap the winter fuel payment will leave pensioners in Wales afraid to put their heating on this winter.”
