WIRRAL councillors are calling on the government to “rethink” their plans following the decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners.

Data from the Department of Work and Pensions shows that while 8,922 pensioners across Wirral receive Pension Credit, and so will keep their Winter Fuel Payments, 67,723 pensioners will lose them.

At the next council meeting, on Monday, October 7, 17 of Wirral’s conservative councillors are calling on the government to reconsider.

Wallasey Councillor Lesley Rennie said: “At each council meeting, parties are asked beforehand to raise issues which they think warrant council-wide action.

“With energy prices rising by 10% this week, and with thousands of pensioners affected by the cuts to Winter Fuel Payments, we can think of no more important issue to seek all-party support.

“Among those losing out are 18,000 pensioners aged 80 or above. Every single pensioner in this country was led to believe the Winter Fuel Payments were safe.

“Every Government since 1997 has made sure that, no matter what else is going, some of the most vulnerable in our society would be protected.

“This is an issue on which all parties can come together – I’m hoping the Leader of the Council, Paul Stuart, with 1,473 pensioners in the Seacombe Ward, and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Jean Robinson, with 2,628 pensioners losing out in Upton and Woodchurch, will support our call.”

On Monday, July 29, 2024 chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a package which included measures to close a £22b hole in the public finance.

Part of the plan to close the hole was the scrapping of state benefit winter fuel payments designed to help pensioners with their heating bills.

The plans, which will come into place from this autumn, will mean that those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer receive the annual £100-£300 payment.

Is it estimated that around 10m pensioners in England and Wales will be impacted by the decision.

Analysis shows that almost 60,000 people in Wirral will be at least £250 worse off this Winter.

In Seacombe, 1,473 pensioners who do not qualify for Pension Credit will have their payments cut while in Upton, 2,628 pensioners will lose out. And in Liscard and Egremont 2,313 pensioners will be affected.

Ahead of the meeting, the Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr. Jeff Green is writing to pensioners across Wirral to make them aware of the changes and how they can get help with Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Council Tax discounts.

Cllr. Green said: “So far, almost 13,000 letters are being posted, or delivered by volunteers, to pensioners in Upton, Claughton, Noctorum, Wallasey, Moreton and Saughall Massie, with more on the way in the rest of the Borough.

“While it is vital that every pensioner who needs help, gets that help, few things have made me more angry since July 4 than the cynical betrayal of promises to this country’s pensioners. 

“I urge Labour Councillors to send a message to their government and join with us to urge the chancellor to rethink the plans when she presents her budget at the end of the month.”