Zöe Franklin MP joins Lib Dem colleagues to push for urgent review of Winter Fuel Payments cut

During the summer recess, Zöe Franklin has backed a Liberal Democrat Parliamentary motion to block government plans to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners. 

• More than 14,500 pensioners in the Guildford constituency are at risk of losing the £300 payment this winter  
• Zöe Franklin calls on the Government to “rethink” the cut so that vulnerable pensioners continue to get the support they need
• Many people who are eligible for pension credit do not claim it. You can find out if you are eligible here: https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility 

Zöe Franklin MP said: “I understand that the new government will have to make some very difficult decisions after the appalling mess left by the Conservatives. But the Chancellor has got this badly wrong. 

“The Government must urgently review this decision to ensure poorer and vulnerable pensioners in Guildford and our villages continue to get the help they desperately need.” 

Figures compiled by the House of Commons Library using data from the Department of Work and Pensions shows an estimated 14,674 pensioners in the Guildford constituency don't receive pension credit, and so will lose the winter fuel allowance under the government’s plans, unless they receive other benefits.  

The Liberal Democrat motion, backed by all 72 of the party’s MPs, will be tabled as soon as Parliament returns this week. If passed it would protect pensioners by blocking the government’s changes and restoring their winter fuel payments.  

Zöe Franklin added: “I am not opposed to means testing in principle, but the Government’s clumsy broad-brush plan leaves far too many people behind, many who would be facing severe hardship if this is implemented. The timing is awful, coming as the energy price cap is increasing by 10% next month. 

“The charity Age UK has powerful and compelling ideas, showing a much fairer solution is possible. Instead of limiting winter fuel payments to those on Pension Credits, the charity says it should be paid to those on a range of other benefits, including council tax support, attendance allowance and carers’ allowance. Whatever the answer is, there must be a full debate and this policy must be urgently reviewed.  ­

Further information

• Under the government’s changes only those pensioners who receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits will still get the £300 winter fuel allowance towards the cost of their energy bills. 
• A breakdown of the number of pensioners not receiving pension credit by constituency, compiled by the House of Commons Library, is available here (source: DWP Stat-xplore) 
• The Liberal Democrats will table a parliamentary motion (known as a “prayer”) to block the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024, published by the Government last week, from becoming law. If passed by the House of Commons, the motion would keep the current system of universal Winter Fuel Payments for pensioner households in place. 
• Age UK research has estimated that two million pensioners will struggle to pay their energy bills due to this cut, see here.