20,000 pensioners at risk of losing Winter Fuel Payments in North Cotswolds

A total of 20,295 of those aged over 66 in the North Cotswolds constituency are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments due to the Labour Government’s cuts.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (GCC, Bourton and Northleach) stood for the  Liberal Democrats in the General Election in July in the new North Cotswolds seat, reducing the Conservative majority to just 3,000 votes.

He has urged the new government to see sense in the face of these new statistics, saying that ministers must “protect vulnerable pensioners” with thousands at risk of having to choose between heating and eating this winter: 

“These new figures show a staggering number of pensioners are not in receipt of pension credit and will therefore lose their Winter Fuel Payment.  They were previously entitled to either £200 or £300 each to help with their energy bills to stay warm during the winter months but most will now lose this money. 

“With the temperatures already dropping and the heating going on, energy prices have now risen due to the new price cap from October 1. 

“Some people are seriously worried about how they will make it through this winter. I’m especially concerned about vulnerable older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying. 

“Cutting these payments for thousands of constituents, including many that are just barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.

“It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners here in the North Cotswolds this winter.”