CALL TO PROTECT OVER 22,000 HINCKLEY AND BOSWORTH PENSIONERS FROM BITING WINTER FUEL CUTS

22,431 pensioners across Hinckley and Bosworth will lose out on the Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 which have been axed by the new Labour Government 

In Hinckley and Bosworth, that means just 1,807 pensioners will now be entitled to the payments to help with their winter fuel bills – a massive drop from the 24,238 residents who benefited under the old scheme, say Hinckley and Bosworth Liberal Democrats. This means a staggering 92.5% of pensioners locally who used to receive Winter Fuel Payments will no longer get them.

The Winter Fuel Payments ranged from £100 to £300 and were paid to everyone over the state pension age.

From this year onwards, to be eligible for the winter help, residents must have been born on or before 22nd September 1958 AND receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, explained Michael Mullaney, Hinckley and Bosworth Liberal Democrat.

He added:” A big problem is that only about six in 10 people eligible for Pension Credits actually take them up. 

“I would urge anyone who thinks they are entitled to Pension Credits but not receiving them to apply – let’s get everyone who is entitled to this support claiming it and they should then be able to get the Winter Fuel Payment.

“And with the next winter fuel price cap rises expected to be announced on 27 August and 25 November, it will be an especially worrying time for people who had perhaps been counting on the now axed winter fuel payment to help them out again this year”, said Michael Mullaney, who represents the Hinckley De Montfort ward on Hinckley and Bosworth council.

In the Hinckley and Bosworth Council area, 22,431 residents will not be getting the winter fuel payment this year following Labour’s surprise announcement. 

“We are worried that more older people in Hinckley and Bosworth will be faced with the horrid and stark choice of heating or eating once more this winter,” said Michael.

“There will be many people likely to be just above the threshold for Pension Credit who will also undoubtedly struggle this winter. The Pension Credit is paid to those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples). 

“It’s difficult to believe that Labour would not have been aware of the real and biting impact such a drastic cut in the Winter Fuel Payments will have when they announced that more than nine in 10 pensioners locally would be frozen out. We must continue to lobby the Government to raise the threshold so that more pensioners can be helped to heat their homes this winter,”