"Pensioners are an easy target" Councillors clash over winter fuel payment controversy

A clash over scrapping winter fuel payments for pensioners sparked tensions between councillors at the latest meeting of Rochdale Council.

As councillors gathered in Number One Riverside this morning (17 October), the big talking point was financial support for older generations.

The Lib Dems and the Conservatives were up in arms over the Labour government’s decision to end these universal payments and restrict eligibility to only those in receipt of pension credits and other benefits.

The issue has sparked criticism of the government over the last few weeks. And in Rochdale, both opposition parties put in a motion to call on the council chief executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, requesting the policy to be paused.

Councillor Irene Davidson (Lib Dem), said: “The amendment from the Labour party is something I find absolutely disgusting. Labour have made this political when it doesn’t need to be.

“When I was 15, 16 and started work I had pensions galore going in to ensure that when I got to a certain age no one had to look after me and I could look after myself. Other people aren’t lucky like me. Some people aren’t able to claim a penny.

“I’ve received my letter to say I’m not entitled to it. The easy way is to go after pensioners as they can’t go on strike and they can’t work to rule.”

Rochdale Council’s Labour leader explained action was needed from his party in Whitehall after the previous Conservative Government ‘wrecked’ the UK economy, ‘leaving a massive £22bn gaping hole in public finances’.

Fellow Labour councillor Billy Sheerin explained he was getting cash to help with his bills, but didn’t need it, and advocated for a means-tested process going forward.

There was agreement between councillors regarding the ‘confusing’ and ‘cumbersome’ process of how pensioners could access credit. Conservative leader Councillor Stephen Anstee aired his concern of the low take up of pension credit – with only 63 per cent of those eligible nationwide receiving it – and over 880,000 pensioners not doing so. 

Councillor Farooq Ahmed of the Workers Party called for a ‘stop to the political point scoring’, and asked what the council are doing to actually help people in the borough.

The meeting heard how the council is already acting to help the most vulnerable. Councillor Emmott highlighted a number of support packages available to residents.

These include targeted assistance for low-income families with food vouchers during school holidays; ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ in libraries and community buildings; housing energy support to help reduce utility costs; the borough’s food network, which comprises 40 groups providing food banks, food clubs, and food pantries; supermarket vouchers for those in need for essential household items, including cookers, fridges, and other white goods.

In the end the council resolved to lobby the government to mount a comprehensive national campaign to encourage the further take up of pension credit.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter