Bolton Green Party opposes winter fuel payment cut

This week elderly protesters staged a demonstration against the planned cut outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

Bolton has already seen a petition by the Bolton and District Pensioners Association aimed at stopping the cut, while the borough’s Green Party branch has also voiced its opposition.

Chair Alan Johnson said: “Bolton Green Party, totally opposes the Government withdrawal of the winter fuel allowance as does the party nationally.

“We are dismayed at a Labour Government attack on pensioners, who in the main are some of the poorest, and most vulnerable, in our society.

Winter fuel payments are set to be cut (Image: PA)

“To take this benefit away from the majority of pensioners, is cruel, wrongheaded, and not necessary.

“Extra revenue can be got by taxing the richest in our country, millionaires and billionaires, would not feel an extra one per cent tax on them.

“How can Labour MPs vote for this cruel and savage attack, including Bolton South and Walkden, Bolton North East MPs, Bolton West MP, was out of country at the time of the vote, how do these MPs sleep at night.

“We call on all Labour MPs to urge the Government to rethink, and leave the winter fuel allowance, for all pensioners in place.”

Originally, winter fuel payments had given older people a one-off tax-free payment of either £200 or £300 to help them pay energy bills in the winter.

It had previously been paid to all pensioners in England and Wales but in July this year Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced this would change this winter.

She said that pensioners would not be entitled to the payments unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.

Earlier in September MPs voted by 348 to 228 in favour of the cut.

This is expected to cut the number of people receiving the benefit from around 11.4million people every year to just 1.5million, saving the government around £1.4billion annually.

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Speaking after the vote, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the cut had been necessary because of the state of the country’s finances.

She said: “The Prime Minister has been clear about the importance of this policy, and while it is not something that he or the Chancellor wanted to do, it is necessary as part of our efforts to balance the books and address the £22 billion black hole.

“The Government was elected on a mandate to restore financial stability and fix the foundations of the country, that is vital before you can grow the economy.

“And so, this policy is in line with that, and he welcomes the progress that’s made.”