MP and pensioners want chancellor to maintain fuel payments

2:14pm Friday 16th May 2008

Comments (6)   Have your say »

CITY of York MP Hugh Bayley is to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling on him not to axe winter fuel payments for pensioners.

It comes after Mr Bayley conducted a survey of pensioners in York, asking for their views on pensions, health care and benefits.

The Government has recently increased this year's winter fuel payments to £250 for households with someone aged over 60, and to £400 for households with someone aged over 80.

However, the payment is not guaranteed for future years and could fall back to £200 and £300 in 2009 if, for example, fuel prices were to fall. Mr Bayley's study showed that 90 per cent of York pensioners think the Government should keep the higher winter payments come what may.

Mr Bayley said: "I launched a consultation with pensioners in York to find out their views about what the Labour Government is doing for older people.

"The survey raises an important question about winter fuel payments which I have taken up with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

"The government has done a lot to help pensioners but more can and should be done.

"It is vital that older people are able to afford to keep themselves warm."

A total of 272 pensioners replied to the consultation which was sent to 1,200 individual pensioners.

Mr Bayley has now written to the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, to pass on the survey's findings and to ask him to keep the higher winter fuel payments. The survey also revealed that 86 per cent of pensioners are pleased with Labour's decision to restore the link between pensions and average earnings in 2012.

A further 88 per cent agree the Government is right to provide extra help for poorer pensioners through the pension credit.

Some 69 per cent of the respondents thought the council should do more to help pensioners with transport.

One pensioner said: "I need travel tokens I am disabled and not able to walk."