Motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to the proposal to stop the winter fuel allowance for the majority of pensioners be reconsidered.
To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors JD Lawson, Bramwell, Arshad, Safdar and Khan;
“This Council notes that some 3 million pensioners are entitled to pension credit which gives a guaranteed income of £17322 for a couple and £11,336 for a single pensioner but it is thought that nearly 800,000 pensioners do not claim Pension Credit. With the governments draconian plans only those entitled to pension credit will receive the winter fuel allowance.
Given that gas and electric are due to rise again by 10% in October, many pensioners will again find themselves living in fuel poverty but will not be entitled to any assistance as their household income will be over the limit to claim Pension Credit some only by a few pounds. Many retired Kirklees residents will find themselves with the choice of either heating or eating this winter.
We ask the leader of the council to write to the Prime minister asking him to look again at this policy and at the very least raise the cut off point for eligibility to a more reasonable amount – the median income with in the UK was £34,963 in 2023.
We also ask that Kirklees runs a campaign to ensure all pensioners who are entitled to Pension Credit are aware of it and how they can apply for it.”
Decision:
Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).