The NPC pledges to continue pressing the government for measures to help older people afford their energy bills - despite Parliament’s ‘disappointing’ vote to axe winter fuel payments. (on Tuesday, 10th September).
It’s not the end - NPC will continue to campaign for energy bill help
The UK’s largest campaign organisation, run for and by older people, is urging members to invite their MPs to attend our planned Lobby of Parliament on Monday, 7th October. The meeting in the House of Commons Room 14, from 2pm to 4pm will hear why the Government’s decision to axe universal winter fuel payments is the latest policy to unfairly target our oldest and most vulnerable.
STATEMENT by JAN SHORTT, General Secretary, NPC
It is an understatement for the NPC to say that the proposal to restrict the winter fuel payment to those on pension credit came as a shock. Not only that, the speed at which it was announced after the General Election left us breathless.
There was clearly never any intention to pass this through Parliament for scrutiny - rather what was set in motion was secondary legislation to sneak it through unhindered.
So, while the NPC is disappointed, it is no surprise that Parliament voted - by 348 to 228, with 53 abstentions (52 were Labour MPs) to proceed with the government’s plan and severely restrict payments to those on pension credit, and a few other entitlements. A move that was not in the Labour Party Manifesto, was not consulted upon, and for which no impact assessment has been delivered.
Above all, we are deeply worried by the devastating impact this decision is set to have upon millions of older people who are already struggling to make ends meet. Because make no mistake, lives will be lost as our oldest and most vulnerable turn off their heating and miss making hot meals to save the money they are losing.
Justification for the move is weak to say the least and is accompanied by a dialogue that encourages the public to think that all pensioners will receive a £460 a year increase for 2024/5 through the Triple Lock, so they don’t need the fuel allowance. Absolutely not true. *The majority do not receive the full amount of the new state pension – most are on the old, lower rate so will receive a smaller proportionate increase.
NPC LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT – 7TH OCTOBER
The NPC applauds the courage and integrity of Rachael Maskell MP for championing older people’s issues in parliament, and Neil Duncan-Jordan MP for his Early Day Motion asking for the decision to be reversed. We also thank those MPs who voted against the legislation, but ask those who abstained, or did not vote at all – why?
Thank you too, to our affiliated bodies and members for standing alongside those who will be most affected.
Let there be no doubt, the NPC will not stay quiet about this betrayal of older people who still contribute over £160 billion to the Treasury in direct taxation, VAT, volunteering, unpaid childcare and save the government around £162 billion a year in unpaid caring duties.
Every loss of life to cold-related illnesses is an avoidable loss. We know cold homes kill and we will lay the accountability for winter deaths firmly on the doorsteps of No. 10 and 11 Downing Street.
Shamefully, this attack on older people comes at a time when over £420 billion in profits are being raked in by energy suppliers when the richest 1% hold more wealth than 70% of the population. The UK economy may have a large deficit but it is still the 5th largest economy in the world.
In the 21st century to treat elderly people in this manner is unforgiveable and will not be forgotten.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary, NPC
*Paul Lewis - @paullewismoney
‘The basic state pension - which most (9.2m) get – is going up by £6.80 a week, £353.60 a year, and the new state pension which a minority (3.4m) get - up by £8.85 a week or £460.20 a year. So, it is wrong to say state pension will rise by £460 a year - most will not get that.’
NPC LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT:
Join our lobby on 7th October in Room 14 in the House of Commons from 2.00 till 4.00 pm.
NPC FACTS CHECK:
The reality is only those receiving a full pension under the New State Pension (post 2016) will get the increase. Those who do not receive a full pension will have the 4% upgrade applied to their current level which can be much less.
For those on the Basic State Pension (pre-2016) it is even worse. If they are on a full state pension, then they will receive £353 a year - £6.80 per week. The majority of pensioners are on the Basic State Pension with a high number receiving less than the full amount. Again, the 4% upgrade will be applied to their current level.
Already that uplift in pension has been outstripped by the 10% increase in energy from 1st October with another cap expected in January 2025. Plus, in April 2025 when the increase is paid, other household bills fall through the letter box all with an inflationary increase. So, this winter is going to be tough for those just above the pension credit threshold and even for those on more modest incomes.
There is also the continuation of the freeze on the tax threshold which will mean more and more pensioners paying tax up until 2028. We have all heard the phrase ‘give with one hand and take with the other’ and this is a prime example.
Older people will still need to make stark choices on how to budget between now and April. The impact of those choices go beyond deciding to put the heating on or cook a hot meal. Those older people and disabled people with a variety of health conditions may decide to cut down on or cut out altogether their care packages with all the consequences that may have for them, their family, the NHS and care services.
Living in cold temperatures places stress on our bodies. The older we are, the more prone we become to strokes, heart disease and other health pressures while we are living without heat for significant periods of time – or for many no heat at all.
MPs are able to claim a refund for heating their second home. The Chancellor now living in No.11 Downing Street has her energy bills paid by the taxpayer, but has previously claimed energy bills for her accommodation. How nice! Yet for those older people struggling to heat one home, it is a kick in the teeth.
Download the press release
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