Winter Fuel Allowance Threat

It appears that the coalition Liberal Democrat and Conservative Government is considering cutting Winter Fuel Allowances for the elderly.

According to the Daily Telegraph:

“it has learnt that ministers have resolved to increase the qualifying age for the annual payment from 60 to at least 66. Talks are under way about an even bigger rise.

The basic winter fuel payment, made to more than 12 million people, will also be cut by £50 for new recipients and £100 for the oldest.”

Nick Clegg has dismissed the piece as 'irresponsible speculation' but it is clear that the issue is being discussed and at length in the corridors of power.

The cut in Winter Fuel Allowance would be a vindication of the Liberal Democrat manifesto position of slashing the allowance, though the Liberal Democrats made clear that the cut to the allowance of those between 60-64, would see increases in Winter Fuel Allowance to disabled people.

The Winter Fuel Allowance was heavily debated in the General Election 2010, where Labour led the charge that the Tories would cut the allowance.

David Cameron made his position on the Winter Fuel Allowance absolutely starkly clear:

Cameron :…Stop his candidates from lying about Conservative policy. Glad I got that off my chest, it’s something I feel very, very, strongly about.

Q: Just to be clear, you will keep benefits, but you will not change them in any way. You will not means test, you will not change the criteria?

Cameron: We will keep what we inherit in all of those important areas. All of the things Labour has been saying are complete and utter lies.

Pretty Definitive. If the coalition were to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance it would be a massive two-fingers to pensioners across Medway.

Many Conservative MPs in Medway spoke about the Winter Fuel Allowance whilst in opposition.

Tracey Crouch MP spoke eloquently about the affect of government changes to the allowance on the 25th April 2008, where she attacked the then Labour Government for changes to the allowance. If her government were to scrap the allowance for the same 60-64 year olds this would represent a slap in the face to those she sought to represent only two years ago.

Mark Reckless MP also campaigned during the election to safeguard the Winter Fuel Allowance. On his blog he confirmed a 'personal promise' that 'I will protect your Winter Fuel Payment' as part of a piece on David Cameron's Pledge to Pensioners. He accused Labour of scaremongering on cuts to Winter Fuel allowance.

So two Tory MPs who would honourably oppose the cut to Winter Fuel Allowance it is presumed?

This blogger will be watching our MPs very very closely indeed on this issue because it goes to the heart of looking after the most vulnerable in our community.