This Council notes the government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs). Age UK estimates that such changes could hit 2 million people across the country, some of whom badly need the money to stay warm this winter.
This Council resolves to:
2. Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging an impact assessment of the government’s decision to means test WFPs and asking HM Treasury to examine transitional measures to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are eligible for, but who do not – or cannot – claim, other benefits under current thresholds, are protected from fuel poverty.
Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the
exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the
Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance
with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules
in the Constitution.
Minutes:
The motion was proposed by Councillor Reeves and seconded by Councillor Walker.
The following amendment was proposed by Councillor Baines and seconded by Councillor Enright.
“This Council notes the Ggovernment’s
decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs). Age UK estimates that
such changes could hit 2 million people across the country, some of whom badly
need the money to stay warm this winter.
This Council resolves to:
1. Recognises that the new Government
inherited a terrible fiscal inheritance with £22 billion of unfunded spending
commitments which had not been reported to the Office for Budget
Responsibility. Left unaddressed this would have posed a major risk to the
nation’s economy with the budget deficit increasing by 25%.
2. Welcomes the Government’s commitment to
increasing the uptake of Pension Credit, aligning Pension Credit and Housing
Benefit, extending the Household Support Fund and protecting the triple lock.
1. 3. Requests that the Cabinet requests a report from officers
with proposals for promoting a countywide District awareness
campaign working with our City and District Councils, local NHS
partners, Parish Councils and charitable, civic and religious groups, to
encourage elderly residents who are eligible for means-tested benefits such as
Pension Credit to register and claim them to ensure that they continue to
receive WFPs this Winter and that those in need are sign-posted to the
continuing Household Support Fund;
2. Request that the Leader of the Council
writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging an impact assessment of the
government’s decision to means test WFPs and asking HM Treasury to examine
transitional measures to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those
who are eligible for, but who do not – or cannot – claim, other benefits under
current thresholds, are protected from fuel poverty.
3. Request that the Cabinet reprioritises monies within the Council’s
budget for 2024/5 held within the Budget Priority Reserve and/or within other
relevant contingency funds or reserves, with a view to establishing an
Oxfordshire Winter Fuel Payment Protection Fund, akin to the Oxfordshire
Resident Support Scheme, to ensure that pensioners who are in genuine hardship,
but who are not eligible for other government support, are helped through the
Winter.”
Following debate, the amendment by Councillor Baines was lost with 13 votes in favour, 37 against and 1 abstention.
An amendment was proposed by Councillor Levy and seconded by Councillor Ley. This amendment was accepted by the proposer and seconder and by Council.
Following debate, the motion as amended was carried with 35 votes in favour, 13 against and no abstentions.
RESOLVED:
This Council notes the
government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs). Age UK
estimates that such changes could affect hit 2 million
people across the country, some of whom may badly need the money to stay
warm this winter.
This Council resolves to:
2. Request that the Leader
of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging calling
for an impact assessment and transitional measures for pensioners
affected by of the government’s decision to means testing WFPs
and asking HM Treasury to examine transitional measures to ensure that
vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are eligible for, but who do not
– or cannot – claim, other benefits under current thresholds, are protected
from fuel poverty. This outreach
should address barriers to Pension Credit access and advocate for simplified
application processes to ensure equitable access.
3. Request that the Cabinet to
include addressing fuel poverty among low-income pensioners in the priorities
of the council when allocating resources, for example using the Household
Support Fund. Priority should be given to strengthening existing high-demand
support programs and partnerships to maximize local resources. reprioritises monies within the Council’s budget for 2024/5 held within
the Budget Priority Reserve and/or within other relevant contingency funds or
reserves, with a view to establishing an Oxfordshire Winter Fuel Payment
Protection Fund, akin to the Oxfordshire Resident Support Scheme, to
ensure that pensioners who are in genuine hardship, but who are not eligible
for other government support, are helped through the Winter.