Subject: Fuel Poverty for Pensioners

Date of meeting: 19 December 2024

Proposer: Councillor McNair

Seconder: Councillor Meadows

Ward(s) affected: All

Notice of Motion

Conservative Group

This council notes:

1) The Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Allowance to only those pensioners on means tested benefits.

2) The estimated impact of this decision will mean that a possible 4,000 pensioners could die this winter, according to the Governments own research.

3) Those pensioners who are just about managing on their finances will not be eligible to claim the Winter Fuel Allowance.

4) That Age UK, Martin Lewis and Councils up and down the country show concern over this heartless decision.

Therefore, resolves to:

1) Encourage the council to consider whether all of those pensioners who need support, not just those already on pension credits or other means tested benefits, can be covered by the Brighton & Hove Fuel Payment Support Fund.

2) Request the Chief Executive of this Council to write to the Chancellor of the

Exchequer urging an immediate review of this decision to protect those

pensioners who are not automatically eligible for pension credits or any other

means tested benefits.

Supporting Information:

Winter fuel payment cut could kill 4,000 people, Labour research suggests | The Independent

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/age-uks-responds-to-winter-fuel-payment

Winter Fuel Payment - Moneysaving Expert; https://moneysavingexpert.com/utitlities/winter-fuel-payment