Cllr Mike Bell against decision to remove winter fuel payment

Cllr Mike Bell, Lib Dem, said “these decisions will have disastrous consequences for some of our most vulnerable residents,” and “no one should have to make the difficult decision to choose between heating or eating”.

Weston Labour MP Dan Aldridge said “targeting winter fuel payments to the poorest pensioners was a difficult decision, not one of us wanted to be in this position.”

But the decision was made “because the previous government made a series of unfunded spending commitments and left a £22bn black hole in the country’s finances,” he added.

The Weston Mercury has contacted the Conservative Party for a comment Cllr Mike Bell, said: “The decision to remove the £200 winter fuel payment from tens of thousands of pensioners here in North Somerset at the same time that the energy price cap increase will push up bills means more households will face financial hardship.

“No one should have to make the difficult decision to choose between heating or eating, least of all pensioners.

“These decisions will have disastrous consequences for some of our most vulnerable residents and will put extra strain on our under-pressure care and health services.

“Whilst we all understand the financial mess left behind by the Conservatives, Labour do need to think again about this.

“Last winter, pensioner households in North Somerset got up to £300 extra in cost of living support as well as £200 in winter fuel payments.

“This year 90 per cent of local pensioner households will be worse off by £500, just as energy bills are due to rise by 10 per cent.

“While there is an argument for ending the universal Winter Fuel Payments and means testing more, eligibility is being squeezed to too narrow a group.

“Those just above the benefit thresholds will be hardest hit and with the least flexibility to make ends meet.”

Dan Aldridge speaking after being elected MP for Weston (Image: Newsquest)

MP Aldridge said: “Targeting winter fuel payments to the poorest pensioners was a difficult decision, not one of us wanted to be in this position.

“Unfortunately, because the previous government made a series of unfunded spending commitments and left a £22bn black hole in the country’s finances – threatening our economic stability, the Government is having to take difficult decisions.

“I am pleased that the Government has put a range of measures in place to mitigate the impacts of this decision, including extending the Household Support Fund until March 2025.

“The last Labour government lifted over one million pensioners out of poverty.

“This government is committed to protecting the triple lock on pensions, despite many organisations, such as the Institute for Fiscal Studies, urging us to scrap it.

“The triple lock will mean that, over the next five years, 12 million pensioners will see their state pension increase by thousands of pounds.

“In addition, we are prioritising support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating and upgrade millions of homes over this parliament.

“The government is also prioritising rebuilding our public services, which pensioners and others rely on. “We have committed to reducing NHS waiting times to 18 weeks, ensuring people can see their GP and rebuilding our NHS.

“I also want to be clear that Winter Fuel Payments will continue for anyone in receipt of Pension Credit, and I am keen to ensure that everyone eligible for pension credit is claiming it.

“I would encourage you, your friends, family and neighbours to check if you are eligible by visiting the following link: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility or by calling the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234.

“This government will always be open and transparent with the public about the state of the finances and the tough choices we must take to protect our economic stability.

“The Chancellor has been forced to set out these difficult steps to recover Conservative overspending.

“This includes the difficult decision that Winter Fuel Payments can now only be protected for the poorest pensioners.

“This is not a decision that the Labour government wanted or expected to make.

“I am very angry that the previous Conservative government knowingly overspent on departmental budgets, covered it up, called an election and ran away from the problem.”