Cllr Mike Bell against decision to remove winter fuel payment

Cllr Mike Bell, Lib Dem, said “these decisions will have disastrous consequences for some of our most vulnerable residents,” and “no one should have to make the difficult decision to choose between heating or eating”.

The Weston Mercury has contacted the Conservative Party for a comment

Cllr Mike Bell, said: “The decision to remove the £200 winter fuel payment from tens of thousands of pensioners here in North Somerset at the same time that the energy price cap increase will push up bills means more households will face financial hardship.

“No one should have to make the difficult decision to choose between heating or eating, least of all pensioners.

“These decisions will have disastrous consequences for some of our most vulnerable residents and will put extra strain on our under-pressure care and health services.

“Whilst we all understand the financial mess left behind by the Conservatives, Labour do need to think again about this.

“Last winter, pensioner households in North Somerset got up to £300 extra in cost of living support as well as £200 in winter fuel payments.

“This year 90 per cent of local pensioner households will be worse off by £500, just as energy bills are due to rise by 10 per cent.

“While there is an argument for ending the universal Winter Fuel Payments and means testing more, eligibility is being squeezed to too narrow a group.

“Those just above the benefit thresholds will be hardest hit and with the least flexibility to make ends meet.”

MP Sadik Al-Hassan giving a speech after being elected (Image: Newsquest)

Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour MP for North Somerset, said: "This government is committed to supporting pensioners as the Cllr clearly knows

"We are protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our Warm Homes Plan which will insulate millions of homes, and cutting NHS waiting lists – bringing real stability to people’s lives.

"Our recent extension of the Household Support Fund for local councils will help those on the edges of the threshold.

"We’ve been honest with the public and, given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited from the last government after years of austerity and poor management, we are in a position where we must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy.

"We have launched a campaign encouraging pensioners to claim pension credit, with the average award worth nearly £4,000 per year, enabling support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.  

"The Govt’s Pension Credit awareness drive will help identify households not claiming the benefit, and I encourage all who are eligible in North Somerset to apply.

"We are protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our Warm Homes Plan which will insulate millions of homes, and cutting NHS waiting lists – bringing real stability to people’s lives.

"Our recent extension of the Household Support Fund for local councils will help those on the edges of the threshold.

"We’ve been honest with the public and, given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited from the last government after years of austerity and poor management, we are in a position where we must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy.

"We have launched a campaign encouraging pensioners to claim pension credit, with the average award worth nearly £4,000 per year, enabling support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.  

"The Govt’s Pension Credit awareness drive will help identify households not claiming the benefit, and I encourage all who are eligible in North Somerset to apply."