Burstow blasts cuts to pensioners winter payments

6.26.31pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 3rd Dec 2004

Paul Burstow MP has blasted the government for letting down almost 20,000 pensioners in Sutton who will lose £50 from their winter fuel payments under plans outlined in the Pre-Budget Statement this week.

Pensioners over 70 this winter will receive £200 in winter fuel payments with an additional payment of £100 to contribute to their Council Tax. However, in this week's statement the Chancellor gave pensioners a £250 allowance for winter fuel payments but no allowance for Council Tax - a £50 loss for pensioners over 70.

The loss of the Council Tax allowance for the oldest pensioners will leave many without enough money to pay their fuel bills and keep warm next winter.

Paul Burstow MP for Sutton and Cheam said:

"Yet again pensioners lose out under the Labour Government. If Gordon Brown thinks he can get away with this £50 reduction he should think again. Pensioners weren't born yesterday.

"Last year, cold weather conditions in winter resulted in around 35 extra deaths in my constituency alone. It is a scandal that a cut in the benefits available to the oldest, most vulnerable people in our society may lead to many more deaths next winter."