Coalition breaks its promise on allowance

Chancellor George Osborne has been criticised by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) for planning to cut the winter fuel allowance in 2011, despite a pledge in the Coalition government’s programme to protect it.

In his Spending Review, the chancellor said: “Winter Fuel Payments will remain exactly as budgeted for by the previous government.” But the NPC points out that this means the £250 currently paid to pensioners under 80 will drop to £200 and the £400 currently paid to the over 80s will fall to £300.

Dot Gibson, general secretary of the NPC pressure group, said: “The winter death rate amongst older people is a national scandal and getting worse. Last winter, over 36,700 pensioners died of cold-related illnesses — a staggering 13 pensioners every hour. Yet the government has now confirmed it is going to cut the winter fuel allowance next year, which will only make matters worse.”

“What older people need now is more money — not less. They need to be reassured that when the cold weather comes they will not be financially punished for keeping warm in winter. The government must give them confidence that they will be able to pay their bills by immediately ruling out any changes to the winter fuel allowance.”

www.npcuk.org/pressrel.htm?no3