House of Commons · Westminster Hall
10 September 2024 · 8 other contributors · 4,644 words
Opened by Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Responding minister: Emma Reynolds
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Rachael Maskell raised concerns about winter fuel payment in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The Government must mitigate the effects on pensioners this winter by providing an assurance that help is available for those in fuel poverty. The Minister should provide more information on what measures are being considered and when they will be implemented to ensure people have the support needed, including a social tariff or social prescribing.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Charities, medics, academics and economists have highlighted the impact of fuel poverty on pensioners. With housing costs, food prices, and energy costs rising, 2.1 million pensioners are in poverty. The average bill is £1,717 but older people pay more due to inefficient homes. Pension increases do not cover cost-of-living rises, leading to a risk of excess winter deaths as seen under the previous government.
He congratulated his hon. Friend for securing the debate, pointing out that pension credit take-up rate is around 63% to 68%, questioning if the proposal stacks up given these figures. The Minister has inherited a dreadful legacy from the Conservative party, and it is concerning that the take-up of pension credit sits at 63% with an ambition of reaching 68%. If pension credit was successfully rolled out to everyone entitled to it, the proposed savings of £1.4 billion would disappear. The decision to cut winter fuel payments has left many constituents deeply anxious about how they will heat their homes this winter.
She agreed with her hon. Friend's comments about protecting people with disabilities or chronic conditions from fuel poverty, urging the NHS to work more closely in tackling this issue.
He expressed concern about more than 16,000 residents at risk of losing the winter fuel payment, arguing that the announcement came too early and raised concerns for many constituents.
He agreed with his hon. Friend that mismanagement by previous Conservative Governments led to the current financial situation and suggested targeting pensioners living off-grid through the warm homes fund.
He thanked the hon. Lady for bringing forward the matter and agreed that the way this change is being introduced is reminiscent of past scandals, suggesting that any changes should be postponed until winter 2025.
She thanked her hon. Friend for securing the debate, inquiring whether the Government should publicise more about savings credit available to over-75s who are not in receipt of pension credit.
The problem is that wherever we draw the line, there will always be those just above who end up being poorer because they do not gain the benefit and do not get the passported access that gaining the benefit gives. Those individuals end up being worse off than the people who do claim.
She thanked her hon. Friend for securing the debate, highlighting that vulnerable constituents could slip through the net and suggesting the Government should reconsider their decision on the winter fuel payment.
Government Response
Emma ReynoldsThis is the first time I have served under your chairmanship, so thank you, Dr Huq. I start by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell) for providing the opportunity for this debate and others for their attendance. The previous Government left us with an £22 billion black hole in public finances, necessitating measures such as means-testing the winter fuel payment to protect economic stability. While wealthy pensioners receive transfers of up to £300, it is right that support is targeted at those who need it most. We have extended the household support fund and urged energy providers to give additional help to struggling households. The warm homes discount worth £150 will be available in October for those eligible, encouraging pensioners to apply. We aim to boost uptake of pension credit, which passes them onto other benefits including winter fuel payments. Age UK and Citizens Advice are working with us on awareness campaigns, urging pensioners to check eligibility through online applications and visits from charities. We are writing to all pensioners about housing benefit and confirming that it does not count as income for pension credit eligibility. The Government seeks to simplify the administration of housing benefit and pension credit by merging them operationally feasible soonest, unlike the previous government's promise until 2029. This is a necessary step towards economic stability, driving growth in public services and improving NHS waiting times.