A committee of councillors was asked to look at helping poverty-stricken pensioners in Conwy after the UK Government cut winter fuel tax benefits. At Conwy’s finance and resources overview and scrutiny committee at Bodlondeb today (Monday), Colwyn councillor David Carr raised the risk of ‘potential deaths and hospital admissions’ for the county’s elderly.
Controversially, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped winter fuel payments for millions of elderly people as the means-tested eligibility criteria changed. The government announced in July that it was tightening eligibility, meaning pensioners are now only eligible if claiming a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit.
Cllr Carr tabled the question at the committee meeting, asking cabinet member for a sustainable economy Cllr Nigel Smith if provisions can be put in place to help those on the poverty line. The fears have been raised after several UK-wide weather warnings already this winter, including last weekend’s snow and ice, with the coldest months of January and February still ahead. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.
“Pensioners in Conwy who live below the Poverty Line and fall just outside the remit for Pension Credit will struggle without the Winter Fuel Allowance,” said Cllr Carr. “Analysis from the Department of Work and Pensions had revealed that the large majority of poorer pensioners will lose help when support is restricted to only those on Pension Credit.
“Potential deaths and hospital admissions for the elderly and poor pensioners in Conwy can be avoided by having in place arrangements of financial assistance similar to arrangements put in place by other local authorities in the UK.”
He added: “Can arrangements be put in place immediately for pensioner households in Conwy, which are in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit but do not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, to automatically receive a payment of £300 to help them pay for energy, water, fuel, or other essentials?”
But cabinet member Cllr Nigel Smith was absent from the meeting, and councillors were told Cllr Carr would get an answer before 10 January 2025. Conwy is yet to set a balanced budget for the forthcoming financial year, but the authority has already warned of potential council tax increases and front-line service cuts.
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