Wednesday 23rd November 2011
MIKE CALLS FOR REVERSAL OF CUTS TO PENSIONERS WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE
Angus MP Mike Weir has called for the government to reverse the cuts in the winter fuel allowance paid to pensioners. The UK government are to cut the payment to those aged 60 and over to £200 and those 80 and over to £400 for the coming winter.
Speaking in a debate on the subject Mr Weir said it was irresponsible to make such cuts at a time of escalating energy prices .
“In June of this year I received a written answer from the Secretary of State to a question on energy prices and inflation which showed that in four out of the last five years the rise in domestic energy prices had outstripped the rate of inflation – whether you use RPI or CPI, and that was before the latest round of price hikes.
The Government’s usual mantra of energy efficiency and switching simply does not wash with pensioners who are struggling to pay their bills – the savings on offer would barely scratch the surface of the problem.”
“The National Pensioners Convention make the point that the winter fuel payment used to cover one third of the dual fuel bill but now covers less than one fifth. That shows how much pensioners are suffering”
“The rises in energy prices cannot be looked at in isolation because just as they are rising, so is the cost of road fuel, food and other essentials. Clearly those such as pensioners on fixed incomes are the most affected by such rises.”
The motion was defeated by the government. Commenting afterwards Mr Weir condemned the UK government’s action.
“In the General Election the Tories promised that they would protect the winter fuel allowance, yet at the first opportunity they are cutting it. This is cynical politics at its worst and makes a mockery of David Cameron’s claims that “we are all in it together”.