Liberal Democrats vow to ‘protect our pensioners’ in the face of cuts to vital energy bill support

Sheffield Liberal Democrats will use the September Full Council meeting to call for the review of the new Winter Fuel Payments policy. 

The Labour government have recently decided to scrap universal Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners. Eligibility will now be means tested in a move that will see almost 75,000 pensioners in Sheffield lose out on up to £300 to help with their bills during the coldest months. 

Only those receiving Pension Credits will be entitled to Winter Fuel Payments. Liberal Democrat Councillors will argue that this threshold is set too low and will push many pensioners in Sheffield into fuel poverty. In addition, across the country only 63% of those eligible for Pension Credits actually claim them, meaning those missing out on this payment will now also not receive Winter Fuel Payments. 

In a further blow, the Energy Price Cap will rise by 10% from October, squeezing vulnerable families as the average household bill will rise by £149 annually. 

However, Liberal Democrats say the Council could be doing more to support vulnerable pensioners. The Cost of Living In-Person Support pilot scheme has been running in the south of the city for almost 12 months, and is projected to generate £93, 814 in additional income and savings for residents. This is through helping them claim benefits they are entitled to or other reductions in their bills.  

Rob Reiss, Councillor for East Ecclesfield, said:

“Across Sheffield, pensioners will be left feeling that they have received the cold shoulder from the Labour government’s plans. I’ve already had many conversations from pensioners in my ward worrying about how they will keep safe and warm this winter. 

Projects like the Cost of Living support scheme pilot have demonstrated it is possible to put actual money back into people’s pockets. Our motion will ask the Council to consider rolling this out citywide so as many residents as possible can benefit. 

I’ll also be calling for political leaders in the Council to write to the Chancellor asking for the new Winter Fuel Payment policy to be suspended and reviewed. I hope they will join the Liberal Democrats in fighting to protect our pensioners.”

Shaffaq Mohammed, Councillor for Ecclesall and Leader of the Sheffield Liberal Democrats, said:

“In July, Labour peer Prem Sikka called for the government to look again at these plans, reminding them that 5000 pensioners died last year because of the cold and they could expect that figure to be higher if this lifeline is removed for so many. Last week, the Labour MP for York Central joined a growing number of the government’s own MPs in warning of the crisis approaching for pensioners this winter.

We are asking Sheffield Labour Councillors to stand with their colleagues and demand the Chancellor suspend and review the new policy. Winter is coming and we are running out of time to keep our pensioners warm.”