Cambridgeshire Conservatives led by March Councillor call for action over Winter Fuel Payment cuts

Conservative councillors are calling for action from the county council to make a stand on cuts to Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners.

March-based Councillor Steve Count is to put a motion to Tuesday’s full Cambridgeshire County Council meeting to raise awareness of the Government’s decision to halt non-means-tested Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners, which he says could affect up to 124,303 older people across the county.

Ahead of the meeting, Cllr Count said: “This decision, spearheaded by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, will deny crucial heating assistance to up to 124,303 pensioners across Cambridgeshire this winter, leaving many to face the grim choice of ‘heat or eat’.”

The Conservative group on the county council which is led by Cllr Count is calling for immediate action to protect elderly residents from what they say are the dire consequences of fuel poverty.

He said: “While some pensioners currently in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment may not require it, there will be many thousands across Cambridgeshire who sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their allowance and may fall into fuel poverty.

“As a result of this decision, the system may see increased demand, such as an increased need for warm spaces, increased use of foodbanks, increased requests for help to complete applications, increased pressure to process applications and ultimately, more people falling into fuel poverty.

“The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.”

Cllr Count also claims the Government’s decision fails to consider the many seniors who do not claim benefits – such as Pension Credit – even if they are eligible.

Part of his motion calls for the county council to launch a campaign to raise awareness and alert those eligible for Pension Credit, which in turn will help them access the Winter Fuel Payment.

He wants the council to encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners in Cambridgeshire are supported in claiming their entitlement.

He is also asking fellow councillors to back his call for the chief executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging her to review the decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment and to ask the Government to ensure the most vulnerable pensioners are protected from fuel poverty.

"By means-testing Winter Fuel Payments, Labour is abandoning those who need help the most," said Steve Count, Councillor. "This is more than just a policy misstep—it's a social injustice that will force vulnerable pensioners deeper into financial hardship. The implications for our community are staggering, with increased demand for warm spaces, food banks, and support services inevitable."

Cllr Count said: “The decision has drawn sharp criticism from respected organizations, including Age UK and the Countryside Alliance, all of which highlight the significant health risks and social injustices this policy change poses for older residents.

“The Conservative group strongly believes that the Winter Fuel Payment is a vital lifeline for many older individuals and that limiting access to it endangers lives during the coldest months of the year.”

He concluded: “We must not allow the most vulnerable in our community to be disregarded and left without essential support during the winter months. The Conservative group will continue to advocate fiercely for our pensioners and work tirelessly to ensure they are protected from fuel poverty."