Labour-led City Council blocks Lib Dem motion on winter fuel payment cuts

At Full Council last month, the Lib Dems proposed a motion addressing the new Government’s recent decision to restrict winter fuel payments to only the poorest pensioners. 

It comes as, 33,000 pensioners across Milton Keynes will lose out on the winter fuel payment worth up to £300 this year. 

The motion which was put forward on 20 November called for the Government’s policy on linking winter fuel payments to pension credit receipt to be immediately paused and to introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for winter fuel payments. 

It also asked for support of the city’s three Labour MPs in halting the changes, as well as calling on the City Council to produce an awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits. 

However, all 28 Labour councillors in attendance voted against the motion. 

Councillor Kerrie Bradburn, who proposed the motion, said: 

“The Liberal Democrats believe it is fundamentally wrong to balance public finances on the backs of vulnerable pensioners. I had hoped that the new Labour government would be a marked departure of the last 14 years with the protection of vulnerable people at the heart of decision making. Instead of cutting support for pensioners, we should be asking those with the broadest shoulders to contribute more to the public good.” 

Councillor Saleena Raja, who represents Shenley Brook End ward, added: 

“Vulnerable older people in our community should not be forced to choose between eating and heating this winter. We recognise that the new Government is facing difficult choices after the appalling mess left by the Conservatives. But a rethink is urgently needed. The decision is being implemented too quickly, putting pressure on charities and organisations that support our communities. Winter fuel payments are a lifeline, not a luxury.” 

Charities such as AGE UK have expressed their disappointment with the new Government and strongly oppose the cut to the winter fuel payment. Figures show that 2.5 million pensioners across the UK who desperately need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it.

Nationally, the Lib Dems launched a petition to save winter fuel payments, arguing that the decision risks damaging the health of so many older people.