Gideon Amos calls on government to 'change course' on Winter Fuel Payments

More than 6,000 of those aged over 80 in Taunton and Wellington are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments due to the government’s cuts, the latest official statistics released today (Tuesday) have revealed.

Local Liberal Democrat MP, Gideon Amos, has called on the new government to “change course” in the face of these new statistics, saying that ministers must “protect vulnerable pensioners” with thousands at risk of having to choose between heating and eating this winter.

Analysis of the new data shows that, in Taunton and Wellington, 6,173 pensioners aged over 80 are not in receipt of pension credit and will lose their Winter Fuel Payment they were previously entitled to unless they receive other benefits.

All those aged over 80 were previously entitled to £300 each to help with their energy bills to stay warm during the winter months, but many will now lose this money.

In total, last year those aged over 80 in Taunton and Wellington received £1,730,400 in support with £3,936,200 given out to all pensioners in the constituency.

This figure will drastically fall this winter following the withdrawal of support by the government for the vast majority of pensioners.

In total, 21,242 pensioners in Taunton and Wellington do not receive pension credit and are also at risk of losing support due to the government’s cuts.

Age UK has previously said that 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments.

Mr Amos has called on the government to “reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners” this winter.

He said: “Many of these 6,000 pensioners here in Taunton and Wellington will be some of the 880,000 in the country eligible for continued Winter Fuel Payment support that the government will be leaving behind in rushing through the cut.

“Everybody understands that the wealthiest can manage without the payment, but I am very concerned for those on the lowest incomes not yet getting pension credit who will be cold this winter – these figures are deeply worrying.

“Older pensioners should not have to choose between heating and eating and the government could and should have ensured the poorest will still get their payments before making this change.

“They could still put in transitional arrangements such as awarding next year’s pension increase before, rather than after, the winter has passed”.

“Cutting these payments for thousands of my constituents, including many who are barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.

“It is not too late for this new government to change course.

“I’m calling on them to urgently put in support for the poorest pensioners who are getting left out.

“Every day they delay is another day of worrying about bills for those affected.

“They need to protect vulnerable pensioners here in Taunton and Wellington this winter.”