Motion on Winter Fuel Payment Reform

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Motion by Councillors J Duff and I Massie
WINTER FUEL PAYMENT REFORM 
Council firmly believes that all pensioners, irrespective of their income, should be
supported during the winter months to ensure they can adequately heat their homes
and maintain a decent standard of living. The Winter Fuel Payment has historically
been a vital lifeline for many elderly individuals in our community, helping to mitigate
the risks of cold-related health issues and ensuring their wellbeing during harsh
winter conditions.
This Council opposes and condemns the UK Government’s cuts to the Winter Fuel
payment passed by the House of Commons on 10th September 2024 in withdrawing
this assistance from approximately 860,000 Scottish pensioners, including over
32,000 pensioners in Perth and Kinross. This Council believes that the Winter Fuel
Payment should remain a universal benefit to those of pension age.
This Council agrees that the Leader of the Council, the leaders of all of the Council’s
political groups and Bailie Bailey, write jointly to The Chancellor of the Exchequer as
a matter of urgency, expressing this Council’s strong opposition to the means-testing
of the Winter Fuel Payment and encouraging the Government to reverse this
decision. The letter should also be signed by the Council’s Older Peoples Champion.
Furthermore, in the likely event that this Council’s appeal is not successful, this
Council welcomes the dissemination of targeted literature towards the pension-age
population of Perth and Kinross encouraging the maximum uptake of Pension Credit
and offering assistance and guidance on how to apply for it. This Council hopes that
this action will go some way to mitigate the harshness of these welfare cuts this
winter.