COUNCIL bosses have vowed to stand behind thousands of Barnsley pensioners who are in line to lose out on a ‘vital’ winter fuel payment - and confirmed they will lobby the government to revise its plan.
Sir Steve Houghton, leader of the council, and deputy Caroline Makinson issued a joint statement this week following a backlash in recent weeks.
Payments of up to £300 helped older residents keep up with their energy bills and stay warm during the colder months.
However, it will now be limited to people over state pension age who are receiving pension credit or a limited number of other benefits.
The joint statement, issued to the Chronicle, said: “We share the concerns of pensioners regarding changes to the winter fuel allowance.
“We recognise that decision was not taken lightly and that the previous government left a massive black hole in the public finances.
“We accept the system needed to change - giving millionaires taxpayers’ money makes no sense.
“However, we believe the proposals should be re-looked at, as the threshold for receiving the payment is now too low.
“We will lobby the government and MPs to make that change.”
The pair said the town’s MPs - Dan Jarvis, Stephanie Peacock and Marie Tidball - were in an ‘unenvious’ position due to their Labour roles after they sided with the political party and voted for the amendment.
However, they have been widely condemned by Barnsley residents for doing so as it will mean 86.7 per cent of local pensioners - a total of 38,779 who received the payment last year - will miss out under the new means-tested guidance.
A motion - set to be discussed at Thursday’s full council meeting - will call on the new government to undertake a full review of eligibility for winter fuel payments to ensure that pensioners are supported through the winter period.
Chief executive Sarah Norman will write to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to set out the council’s concerns on the matter.
Couns Houghton and Makinson added: “Our MPs are of course in an unenvious position - as ministers they are bound by collective responsibility.
“To vote to return to the old system is not what’s needed and would have meant them leaving government.
“We have spent 14 years on the outside with little or no influence on government decisions and we need them to be in there making Barnsley’s case.
“We don’t want them or us to be on the outside for another five years and we know our residents’ concerns.
“We on the council are of course more free to speak up publicly on people’s concerns and we will continue to push them, including through our Barnsley Labour Group motion to full council next week.
“We hope the Chancellor will find means in the budget to address our aims.
“Whatever happens in Westminster the council will support our people this winter and beyond.
“We’re looking at options to provide financial help to those struggling and will work with partners to increase the uptake of pension credit.”
