Bolton pensioners quiz MPs on winter fuel payment cuts

The controversial budget cut means that older people across the country will lose one off payments, meant to help support them during the colder winter months.

The Bolton and District Pensioners Association have run a campaign against the cuts and on the Friday before chancellor Rachel Reeves’s budget met the borough’s three MPs on the matter.

Association chair Alan Johnson, 76, said: "I was surprised to hear the MPs say they voted for the cut because they "trusted the Chancellor Rachel Reeves". 

“How can you trust someone who has not provided you with all the facts?” 

The pensioners association have campaigned against cuts to the winter fuel allowance (Image: Public)

He added: “People are sick of hearing there will be jam tomorrow.

“Keir Starmer said there would be no return to austerity, what does he think taking £300 off Pensioners is?”

In September MPs voted by 348 votes to 228 to restrict winter fuel payments to just pensioners who receive universal credit or other means tested benefits.

In Bolton, the association says that around 39,000 older people will lose out because of the cut and claims the government did not carry out an Equality Impact Assessment.

The group members took the opportunity at the meeting to make their feelings known to the three MPs, Yasmin Qureshi, Kirith Entwistle and Phil Brickell and to ask questions.

Martin Gallagher, 73 from Breightmet, welcomed the government’s campaign to get more pensioners to claim pension credit.

But he questioned the MPs as to how they would make their ‘in-year’ savings if there was a huge take-up of pension credit. 

Mr Gallagher said: “This must be one of the most ill-thought-out policies of any government let alone a Labour one which is meant to defend the most vulnerable”.  

Another group member, 73-year-old Harriet Grimsditch from Tonge Moor, said she was concerned about more people dying over the winter because of the cut.

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She said: “As a retired NHS nursing sister who cared for older people I’m astonished that our MP thinks people on fixed incomes can just change plans in three months”.  

After the meeting, Bolton North East MP Kirith Entwistle said that she would work to make sure people in need would receive support.

Ms Entwistle said: “I’m always happy to listen to local residents concerns and I appreciate Bolton Pensioners Association taking the time to meet with us. 

“I want to make sure that everyone knows that support is available for pensioners who may be struggling financially this winter and I’m working with charities and experts to get the word out to Bolton residents who may be entitled to Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payments, Attendance Allowance, Housing Benefit or other options to top-up their income”.