Cut in winter fuel payments attacked

AN MP has accused the coalition Government of betraying pensioners after it emerged it is cutting the winter fuel allowance despite rising energy prices.

Chancellor George Osborne did not mention winter fuel payments in his hour-long budget speech in the Commons but the details emerged in the Budget documents.

The annaul tax-free payment to help people pay for their heating in the winter was worth £250 for the over 60s and £400 for the over 80s. But the payment will be reduced to £200 and £300 for the two age groups in the winter of 2011-12.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “This will save a relatively small amount of money and it is simply outrageous. These are the poorest and most vulnerable in society, many who will be infirm, unable to get outside much and spend large amounts of time in their homes.

“We had a bitter winter and we do not know what next winter will be like. It is not much to want people to stay warm in their home, it is a basic need.

“The bankers are getting away with everything, they are the ones who caused the financial mess not pensioners in Oldham, but the pensioners are the people being targeted and punished.”

Labour repeatedly accused the Tories in the general election campaign of planning to reduce the payments but David Cameron said the allegations were lies and said he would safeguard benefits for the elderly, including winter fuel payments.

The National Pensioners Convention said up to three million pensioner households were already spending more than 10 per cent of their income on energy bills and were living in fuel poverty.

Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary, said: “It’s absolutely outrageous that George Osborne didn’t have the guts to make this announcement public in his speech, but instead chose to bury it in all the paperwork.

“It’s a shabby way to treat Britain’s older generation. He should be ashamed of his behaviour.”

Figures show nearly a third of older people live in homes with inadequate heating or insulation, and nearly 90 per cent of all excess winter deaths are of people aged over 65.

A department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “Winter fuel payments will continue to be paid. However, the temporary increase will not be paid this winter.”