Figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions as an Equality Analysis following Labour’s vote to cut the Winter Fuel Payment show that around 71% of pensioners with a disability and 83% of the over-80s will lose the benefit.
In figures released on Friday 13th, the DWP states:
“This policy will reduce the numbers entitled from around 12m to 1.7m in the 1st year, dropping to 1.2m by the end of the scorecard period3. No transitional protection is assumed.
…83% (2.7m) of those aged 80+ currently receiving a WFP will lose out, compared to 90% (7.3m) of those aged 66 to 79…
Although a smaller proportion of those aged 80+ will lose out than those under 80, due to the higher rate of WFP from that age, older pensioners who are affected will be proportionally worse off financially as a consequence of the policy…
… those with a disability will be disproportionately likely to retain the WFP. However, around 71% (1.6m) of people with a disability will still lose entitlement.”
Speaking out against the cuts is Cllr Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council and the Conservative Group on Cornwall Council, who says:
“The Equality Analysis figures, put out by the Government on a Friday evening in the hope that no one would see them, are simply damning reading, and make it even more worrying that the Government had not completed an Impact Assessment prior to forcing these changes through.”
“As I have said previously, the numbers of those affected by Labour’s cold and callous decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, which was fully supported by all four of the Labour MPs who currently represent seats in Cornwall, will be even higher as a percentage in Cornwall, with our ageing population.”
“Cornwall Council continues to push for pensioners to apply for Pension Credit, as this will make people eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, but the reality is that there will be many thousands of people who are slightly over the line for eligibility by mere pennies, who will subsequently lose out.”
“Labour have really not thought this through, and I hope that our Labour Members of Parliament, who of course have access to taxpayer funded allowances to heat their accommodation on top of their £90k plus annual salaries, will reflect on their actions and call on their government to reverse these changes as soon as possible.”
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