The Government’s recent changes to their controversial Winter Cut Allowance cuts have been welcomed by the leaders of the two largest groups on Hull City Council.
One of the first big decisions taken by Rachel Reeves after becoming Chancellor last summer was to make major changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance. Ms Reeves made it so that the payment, which had previously been available to all pensioners, would only be received by those on Pension Credits.
The logic behind the move was to prevent wealthy pensioners, who did not need the payment, being handed extra cash. However, this soon proved to be a highly controversial move with concerns being raised for those who just missed out on the new cut off but still relied on the payment to heat their homes during the cold winter months.
Earlier this month, the Government further announced changes to the payment which will see more pensioners becoming eligible for the allowance. The payment will now be available to those with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year, in a change that now means three quarters of pensioners in England and Wales will be eligible for the payment.
(Image: Katie Pugh)
At a full council meeting, both the leader of the council, Cllr Mike Ross, and the leader of the majority opposition group, Cllr Daren Hale, welcomed the recent changes announced by the Chancellor.
Cllr Ross, the Liberal Democrat council leader, said: “It’s good to see that the Labour government has made this U-turn, albeit, later in the day and I hope they do the same on their planned devastating changes to other welfare payments.”
Cllr Daren Hale, the leader of the Labour group, the largest opposition group in the council said: “This chamber, a few months ago, basically said, to a man and a woman, we were not supportive of the changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance and I’m pleased that the Government has listened.”
(Image: Hull City Council)
Cllr Hale criticised the Government’s avoidance of the term ‘U-turn’ when announcing the changes to the payment. He said: “Sometimes when you get thing wrong, when you put things right, that’s a sign of strength not a sign of weakness.”
On the new eligibility rules he added: “I actually think that most people would think it is probably right that people on a pension earning over £35,000 a year probably don’t warrant that.”
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