Lib Dems Standing up for Bradford's Pensioners

In July people went to the polling stations to vote with the Labour Party change. Many people lent their votes to Labour to guarantee that change 

• A change from the sleaze and self-serving ministers.
• A change from cuts to services and ever-increasing thresholds to access them
• A change from years of pressure from price rises and excessive waiting times for healthcare and other basic services

That change still seems a long way from delivery and the cut to the winter fuel payments seems as out of touch and callous as anything we saw from the last Government.

No-one in the district thinks that millionaires or billionaires should be receiving this payment but that is not only what this policy does. 

The blanket withdrawal of support will leave over 64,000 people across the district worse off and that starts with pensioners living on less than £1000 per month.

The argument that pension credit recipients will be protected hides the fact that Labour knows thousands eligible to get pension credit do not receive it. For many they don’t know it exists and with a 20-page form to apply and no definitive list of those who are entitled it is almost impossible to sign up everyone before the deadline. Rushing this change through in weeks risks leaving many of the most vulnerable in the cold this winter.

Pensioners in Bradford are being hit on all sides now. This change is just another in a long list of hurdles in their way and while we are all concerned that Winter Fuel Payment changes are regressive, we need to recognise that decisions in this chamber and by this authority are contributing to the pressure older people are under. 

• Parking permit charges in my ward mean that largely elderly residents in Eccleshill village must pay out up to £75 extra to access parking outside their homes
• The massive disruption of Bradford Interchange and pedestrianising the City Centre, however temporary, has made it difficult and in some cases impossible for pensioners to access the city centre or make public transport connections from one part of the district to another.
• The reduction in neighbourhood services, longer waiting times for repairs and the falling investment in local public spaces and retail centres have resulted in increased fear and perceptions that older people hold about safety on our streets.

The condemnation of the cuts to winter fuel payments has been almost universal with Trade Unions, Labour delegates at their recent conference, and most of the support groups and charities that work with pensioners. 

Liberal Democrats share those concerns. This is poor policy, hurting the wrong people and we cannot see why the Government has done this. 

Below is the Liberal Democrat motion to Council is set out in detail below.

12.1 WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS 

To be moved by: Councillor Brendan Stubbs 

To be seconded by: Councillor Riaz Ahmed 

Council notes the recent announcement by the Labour Government to end universal winter fuel payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of Pension Credits and other benefits. This 

Council further notes that this policy was rejected by the Labour Party Conference following a vote of delegates on Wednesday September 25th 2024. 

Though many agree that universal Winter Fuel Payments are not necessary, Council is deeply concerned that many pensioners on lower and middle incomes will now not receive the payments. Across England and Wales the number of people eligible for winter fuel payments will fall by 10 million (from 11.4 million to only 1.5 million). 

In Bradford the number of pensioners affected by the change in eligibility criteria is 64,631. That means 83.80% of pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards. 

Council believes that the Labour Government has set the threshold at which pensioners do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payments far too low. Only those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples) are eligible for pension credits. 

This is significantly lower than the living wage rate. Council is also concerned by the low take up of pension credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving them – and over 880,000 pensioners not doing so. 

Council recognises the role we must play to increase awareness of benefits such as Pension Credit to ensure people are aware of the support they are entitled to. 

Council further notes that the Energy Price Cap rose by 10% in October, which combined by the removal of Winter Fuel Payments will push thousands of local pensioners into fuel poverty. 

Council resolves to - 

• Request the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the policy on linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt to be immediately paused and introduce a new threshold to determine eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments. Council further requests the Chief Executive write to all MPs covering Bradford District asking them to give their formal support to halting the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility. 

• Request all group leaders sign a joint letter City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for the new Winter Fuel Payment policy to be suspended and reviewed. 

• The Council urgently commence a significant awareness campaign to maximise uptake of pension credits. This will include use of council noticeboards, social media, promotion in local press and also targeted letters to those who may be eligible.