Number of pensioners in Cornwall to lose fuel payments

The drastic reduction means only 16,087 pensioners will now be eligible for the payments, a significant drop from the 135,678 residents who benefited under the previous scheme.

The figures are revealed in an impact study drafted for Leigh Frost, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bodmin St Petroc’s, who is calling on Cornwall Council to take more action to help the Duchy’s pensioners.

Labour’s new eligibility criteria means residents must have been born on or before September 22, 1958 and receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

“A big problem is that only about six in ten people eligible for Pension Credits actually take them up,” said Cllr Frost, who added the number was ‘staggering’. “That’s why we’re asking Cornwall Council to actively promote Pension Credit. Let’s ensure everyone entitled to this support claims it, so they can also receive the Winter Fuel Payment.”

With winter fuel price cap rises expected on October 1 and again in January, the timing of these cuts is particularly concerning, say Cornwall’s Lib Dems. The party says many pensioners who previously relied on these payments may now face financial hardship.

Rob Nolan, Liberal Democrat councillor for Truro Boscawen and Redannick, also voiced his concerns: “We are worried that more older people in Cornwall will be faced with the horrid and stark choice of heating or eating this winter. It’s difficult to believe that Labour would not have been aware of the real and biting impact such a drastic cut in the Winter Fuel Payments will have.”

He added: “I am hopeful that Cornwall Council will do what they can to help people claim Pension Credit and lobby the Government to raise the threshold, so more pensioners can heat their homes this winter.”

At a meeting of the full council this Tuesday, September 24, the Liberal Democrats will call on Cornwall Council to take immediate action to promote Pension Credit and support the vulnerable elderly population during the challenging winter months ahead.

They will also ask council leader Linda Taylor to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, calling for an immediate pause on the policy linking Winter Fuel Payments to Pension Credit receipt.

The council’s Conservative cabinet pre-empted the Lib Dem motion this week with Cllr Taylor agreeing to write to the Government asking for it to reconsider its decision to cut the payment. She will also ask Westminster to make the process of claiming Pension Credit easier.

During the meeting, Philip Desmonde, the Tory councillor for Pool and Tehidy, accused the Labour Government of “freezing grandmothers at Christmas”.