Sefton Conservatives suggest hoodies to aid pensioners amid fuel cuts

Councillors could vote to give pensioners in Southport hoodies sponsored by local businesses to keep them warm this winter.

Conservative group leader Mike Prendergast has proposed the suggestion as part of a wider motion to tackle the Government’s cutting of the winter fuel allowance for pensioners not in receipt of pension credit.

The Winter Fuel Payment, sometimes called the Winter Fuel Allowance, is a financial support measure the UK Government provides to assist older people with their heating costs during the colder months. It is usually available to people born on or before a specific date, with payments ranging from £100 to £300 depending on an individual’s age and circumstances.

The recent cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment have reduced or removed this support for many pensioners. Previously, a significant number of pensioners automatically qualified for the payment. However, the Government has implemented changes that reduce eligibility, meaning fewer older people will receive the full benefit or any benefit at all.

If passed, the motion would see Sefton Council introduce a scheme alongside clothing retailers to provide those pensioners affected with a lined hoodie-type top to help them cope with the adverse impact of the allowance cut.

The chance of the motion passing in its current state is incredibly slim. With Labour in firm control of the Council chamber, any passing motion must be able to command their support, which is not typically granted to motions with either direct or indirect criticism of the national Labour party.Labour may, however, allow the motion to pass with amendments.

The motion says, “As a result of the Labour Government’s decision to penalise pensioners with an income as little as £13,000 per year by removing the Winter Fuel Allowance from around 10 million
pensioners nationally, Sefton Council is determined to mitigate in any way possible the harmful effects of this policy on the elderly.

“The need for pensioners to keep warm in the winter months should be a clear health priority for our society and around 56,000 pensioners in Sefton are going to suffer great hardship due to the arbitrary withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Allowance.”

Sefton will debate the motion next Thursday, 14 November, at Southport Town Hall.