Council

Agenda Item 61   

Subject:                    Fuel Poverty for Pensioners

Date of meeting:    19 December 2024

Proposer:                 Councillor Alexander

Seconder:                Councillor Mackey

Ward(s) affected:   All

Notice of Motion

Labour Group Amendment

That deletions are made as shown with strikethrough below and additional recommendations are added as shown in bold italics below:

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.

5) That in November 2024 the Administration launched the Brighton and Hove Fuel Payment for those people of pensionable age in the city who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Therefore, resolves to:

1) Encourage thenote the continued promotion in January and February 2025 via council communication avenues to consider whether all of the opportunity for those pensioners who need support, not just beyond those already on pension credits or other means tested benefits, can be covered by to apply for 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.

3) Review the uptake of the Brighton & Hove Fuel Payment Support Fund in advance of the budget setting process.

4) Thank officers who are working hard to help residents’ eligibility checks and applications for Pension Credit, as well as provide direct financial help with energy costs and wider advice on keeping warm this winter.

Recommendations to read if carried:

This council notes:

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

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

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

4. That in November 2024 the Administration launched the Brighton and Hove Fuel Payment for those people of pensionable age in the city who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Therefore, resolves to:

1) Note the continued promotion in January and February 2025 via council communication avenues the opportunity for those pensioners who need support, beyond those already on pension credits or other means tested benefits, to apply for the Brighton & Hove Fuel Payment Support Fund.

2) Review the uptake of the Brighton & Hove Fuel Payment Support Fund in advance of the budget setting process.

3) Thank officers who are working hard to help residents’ eligibility checks and applications for Pension Credit, as well as provide direct financial help with energy costs and wider advice on keeping warm this winter.