– Sandwell Liberal Democrats urge our local MPs to vote against cut to Winter Fuel Payments for local pensioners 

– 34,241 pensioners in West Bromwich at risk of losing the £300 payment this winter

– Local Liberal Democrats call on the government to “rethink” the cut so that local vulnerable pensioners continue to get the support they need

Liberal Democrats in Sandwell have urged their local MP to back a motion in Parliament to block the government’s plans to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners. 

If passed, the Liberal Democrat motion would protect local pensioners by blocking the government’s changes and restoring their winter fuel payments. It is set to be tabled as soon as Parliament returns next week and has been backed by all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs.

It comes as new analysis shows an estimated 34,241 pensioners in Sandwellare at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

This is the estimated number of pensioners in the Borough who don’t receive pension credit, and so will lose the winter fuel allowance under the government’s plans unless they receive other benefits. The figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library based on data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Across the country, 11 million pensioners are set to lose their winter fuel payment under the government’s plans, including two million that the charity Age UK has said will struggle to afford their energy bills as a result. This is despite the average energy bill being set to rise by £149 a year from October.

Sandwell Liberal Democrats in Sandwell are urging their local MPs to back the motion to protect poorer and more vulnerable pensioners from being forced to choose between eating and heating this winter.

Great Barr lad, and former Lib Dem Pensions Minister condemns crude cut

Steve also points out, in this article for The Guardian, that there are smarter options that would protect the poorest pensioners from seeing their income reduced.

There’s no need to cut poorer pensioners’ income. Smarter winter fuel solutions are at hand

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