Winter Fuel Payment Pensioner Poverty 2025-02-03

2025-02-03

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Patrick Spencer Con
Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
Context
Suffolk has been hit hard by the cut to winter fuel payments, with NHS Suffolk reporting high bed occupancy due to cold-related illnesses. Community centers have set up warm rooms for affected pensioners.
There is no doubt that the cut to the winter fuel payment has hit Suffolk hard. NHS Suffolk reported that 97% of beds were occupied over the Christmas period due to a spike in cold, flu and pneumonia-like symptoms. Kesgrave community centre has set up warm rooms for impacted pensioners. The only good news is that the Suffolk Community Foundation has managed to raise £100,000 to support pensioners across our community who are impacted by the cut. Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the Suffolk Community Foundation for being there for the most vulnerable people in our society when his Government were not?
This Government and the important charity that the hon. Gentleman mentions are here for the most vulnerable pensioners. That is why we are targeting the winter fuel payment at those who need it most, and why we will uprate all the state pension elements by over 4% this April.
Assessment & feedback
Minister avoided directly acknowledging the impact of the cut on pensioners in Suffolk
Changing Subject To Positive Measures
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Ashley Fox Con
Bridgwater
Context
Labour-controlled Bridgwater town council increased its council tax precept by 40%, impacting pensioners in the constituency. Many do not qualify for pension credit.
Labour-controlled Bridgwater town council is increasing its council tax precept by 40%. That means that pensioners in my constituency are suffering from not only the loss of their winter fuel allowance, but an enormous tax rise. What advice does the Minister have for those of my constituents who do not qualify for pension credit, and who now face the loss of the winter fuel allowance from this Government and a huge tax rise from their Labour council?
I encourage all pensioners to consider whether they are eligible for pension credit, but also to look for the wider support that can be provided via the household support fund and the warm homes discount. I say gently to the hon. Member that the driving up of council tax bills is a direct result of the destruction of local government finances by the Conservative party over 14 years.
Assessment & feedback
Minister avoided addressing advice for pensioners and shifted blame onto previous government
Shifting Blame Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Helen Whately Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Context
Recent questions about winter fuel payment delays have not been adequately answered. There is uncertainty among pensioners regarding when they will receive their payments.
I welcome the Minister to his place. I have a simple question for him: how many people are still waiting for their winter fuel payment?
The largest campaign to drive up pension credit take-up is now under way, and it will continue in the years ahead. What we are seeing at present is that anyone who made their claim for pension credit before 21 December will receive their winter fuel payment when that claim is processed.
Assessment & feedback
Minister did not provide specific number of people awaiting winter fuel payment
Changing Subject To Ongoing Campaign
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Helen Whately Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
Context
Minister's lack of answers regarding pensioners' situation has raised concerns about the transparency of winter fuel payment policy.
So the answer is that the Minister does not know. He does not know how many people are waiting for their winter fuel payment. He does not know how many people are stuck in the pension credit backlog. He does not know when they will hear about their claims. He does not know who has had help from their local council. He does not know how many people who lost their winter fuel payment have ended up in hospital this winter. He and his Department have dodged or refused to answer every single one of those questions in recent weeks. Will he commit to a full review of the winter fuel payment cut so that we can get those answers?
I will commit to fighting every day to avoid a repeat of the exercise under the last Government whereby pensioner poverty rose by 300,000, having fallen by 1 million under the last Labour Government. We will make sure that we publish details of the take-up of pension credit by the end of February.
Assessment & feedback
Minister did not commit to a full review of winter fuel payment cut
Changing Subject Shifting Blame
Response accuracy