Council Condemns Winter Fuel Payments Cut

Harborough councillors have condemned the government’s decision to scrap winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

A motion put forward by the opposition Conservative group was voted through at a meeting last night, over concerns some elderly people will struggle to afford to heat their homes through winter.

The council also agreed to support a campaign launched by charity Age UK, demanding a re-think on the controversial decision.

Liberal Democrat and Green councillors voted with Conservative members in backing the motion, with three Labour councillors voting against it.

Cllr Jon Bateman, Leader of the Conservative group, told the meeting the matter was not ‘political’:

Cllr Jon Bateman puts forward his motion at the meeting

The passing of the motion also means Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of this Council, will write to both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to ask for funding for a local advertising and outreach campaign to raise awareness about Pension Credit and other benefits, targeting pensioners who may be eligible but are not currently claiming.

The government says ‘tough decisions’ need to be made as part of a series of measures to address a £22 billion “black hole” in public finances.