Support for pensioners this winter

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me to express your views about the government’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Allowance to the poorest pensioners who need it most.

I want you to know that I share your anger. This isn’t a decision I wanted to make. It’s not what I was elected to do. I was immensely proud to meet thousands of older people across West Cumbria during the campaign and honoured to receive the backing of so many of you in the election. I don’t take that for granted.

Unfortunately, the total mess the Conservatives left the country’s finances in forced the Chancellor to make this and other very difficult decisions once the extent of the Tory black hole was revealed. There was a £22 billion gap between what the Tories had budgeted to spend this year and what the government was actually on track to spend.

In short, they ran out of money two weeks before payday and just kept on spending, because they knew it would be someone else’s problem after the election. It’s disgraceful. And they should show some humility and apologise.

But I know you’re not interested in the blame game, you want to know what I as your MP and your voice in Parliament is doing about it, so let me tell you.

1. Pension Credit

Firstly, the Winter Fuel Allowance WILL still be paid to those receiving pension credit. Many of the e-mails sent to me suggest people think it is being removed completely. It isn’t. Those pensioners in the most need will still get it. If you’re not receiving pension credit check your eligibility at www.gov.uk/pension-credit

We’re running a massive campaign to raise awareness and get the 800,000+ people across the country who are eligible but not claiming it signed up.

2. Household Support Fund

Secondly, I appreciate there are lots of people who fall just outside the threshold for pension credit but can’t be described as well off who will be hit hard by this decision. I want support to be available to people in that category and the Labour government has made sure it will be. Under the Tories, the Household Support Fund – which supports thousands of families and pensioners across Cumbria with the cost of living – was due to run out in September. The Labour government has just committed £421 million to extend it to next year.

You can find out more about the Household Support Fund and apply for help through Cumberland Council here

3. State Pension ‘Triple Lock’

Thirdly, because we’ve made this difficult decision we can protect the State Pension ‘Triple Lock’ not just this year and next but every year until the next General Election. The State Pension went up by £900 this year – well above inflation – and is due to go up again by around £460 in April – again well above inflation. The state pension is predicted to increase by over £1,000 during this Parliament under Labour, ensuring all pensioners will be better off

4. Lower energy bills

Energy bills are lower this winter than they were last winter. The energy price cap is £266 lower than it was last autumn. And the Labour government’s fast action to ramp up domestic clean energy production to wean us off foreign gas and oil will bring bills down further in the coming years.

5. Warm Homes Plan

In addition, I’m pushing for West Cumbria to be a pilot area for the government’s Warm Homes Plan, which will insulate and upgrade millions of homes and slash energy bills. I’ve met with and written to the Minister about this.

So, bills are down, the State Pension is up, we’re expanding access to Pension Credit and giving pensioners in need but not eligible for pension credit help through the Household Support Fund. And I’m fighting to upgrade thousands of the coldest homes in West Cumbria which will bring down bills even further.

It’s easy for those not in a position of responsibility to oppose this, but we were elected to make difficult choices and fix the mess the Tories made. Ultimately, we have to fix the foundations and get the public finances back under control to stabilise and grow the economy so that we have the money we need to invest in the other things I know local pensioners care about – like fixing our broken NHS and investing in public transport.

You may not be satisfied with my answer but I hope you understand the position we’ve been forced into and see that I am doing what I can to ensure those pensioners who really need this support are still able to get it.