Sioned Williams MS writes about the number of pensioners impacted by Winter Fuel Payment cuts
This article was published in the South Wales Evening Post on Thursday 19 September 2024.
87,000 pensioners is no small number
Eighty-seven thousand people is no small number, but that’s how many pensioners across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend – the region that I represent in the Senedd – could be left cold this winter.
Up until last week, anyone over the state pension age – about 100,000 people across the region – were eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. However, under the cuts proposed by the new Labour UK Government and passed by Westminster last week, only those claiming Pension Credit will be eligible. This means that tens of thousands of pensioners in this area set to lose out on this vital support, which can provide up to £300 towards heating costs over the winter.
No-one with an understanding of communities in this region could claim that these pensioners are all well-off and can get by without this payment. Bear in mind, too, that the announcement comes at a time when household fuel bills are set to rise by 10% - which, for the average household is £147.
There are other things the UK Government could have done, that would have continued to support the oldest and most vulnerable in our communities. They could have increased the age at which pensioners can claim the payment, or use a sliding scale linked to taxation levels.
The UK is the sixth-largest economy in the world, and there are 165 billionaires in the country. Cutting fuel support for pensioners is not, and should not be the inevitable solution to the UK’s economic problems.
Pensioners are being pushed deeper into fuel poverty, which will have serious health consequences for older people. It’s estimated that last year nearly 300 people died in Wales due to cold homes.
The Labour Welsh Government says that tackling poverty is a priority for them, but in the past, they have pointed to Tory austerity as the reason their hands are tied. Now that we have a Labour government in Westminster, there’s nowhere for them to hide.
As Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Social Justice in the Senedd, I will continue to hold Welsh Government’s feet to the fire on what they intend to do to help the thousands of pensioners throughout Wales that will now be facing a cold winter.