The Conservative Group on Cornwall Council has condemned the vote by all four of Cornwall’s Labour MPs today that will see thousands of pensioners across Cornwall lose their Winter Fuel Payment in the coming months.
The vote, which will mean the formerly universal benefit of the Winter Fuel Payment will instead become means tested, and only available if pensioners are already receiving other means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit.
Recent figures released show that nearly 80,000 pensioners in the four seats held by Labour MPs in Cornwall alone do not currently claim Pension Credit, and so currently will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
Commenting, Conservative Group Leader and Leader of Cornwall Council Cllr Linda Taylor said:
“I was very disappointed indeed to see the four Labour MPs who currently represent Cornwall vote to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for tens of thousands of Cornish pensioners today.”
“This is typical Labour politics of saying one thing prior to the election and then doing something entirely different afterwards.”
“Cornwall has an ageing population with greater numbers of people disproportionately affected by Labour’s cuts than elsewhere, but it is clear that our Labour MPs have just followed their Whip’s orders and not voted in the interests of their constituents.”
“Taking this cruel decision and its impact aside, have they even considered how much it is going to cost to administer the means testing?”
“With these cuts, as well as the looming utility bill increases on the horizon, both in direct contradiction of Labour’s promises before the election, I am frankly worried and disturbed about what they will do next.”
“Cornwall Council will be continuing to highlight to local pensioners how to claim Pension Credit, and I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be entitled to claim it as soon as possible.”
You can claim Pension Credit here: