30,000 Southwark pensioners face fuel payment cuts as energy bills set to rise

Tens of thousands of pensioners across Southwark face losing out on their fuel payments this winter, new analysis has revealed.

The Winter Fuel Payment was available to almost everyone in the UK born before September 25, 1957, to help them cover heating costs.

But, from this winter, only those on pension credit or means-tested benefits will get the payment – leading to fears that millions of pensioners will struggle to pay their bills.

Analysis of government figures shows that across Southwark’s five constituencies, 30,000 pensioners do not receive pension credit and are at risk of losing the £300 payment. 

This comes as the average energy bill is set to rise by £149 a year from October, while 42 per cent of homes in Southwark do not meet energy efficiency standards, according to the Liberal Democrats.

Cathy Deplessis, who has been the director of the Southwark Pensioners Centre in Camberwell Road for eight years, said: “Many pensioners in Southwark already hard hit by the dramatic increases in the cost of living and utility costs of the last three years will struggle to manage without the winter fuel payment.

“People on incomes just above pension credit level will be particularly impacted, but we just don’t know how many.”

Across the country, 11 million pensioners are set to lose out on the payment, including two million that the charity Age UK has said will struggle to afford their energy bills as a result. 

Southwark Liberal Democrats have written to Miatta Fahnbulleh, the Labour MP for Peckham and minister for fuel poverty at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, urging the government to rethink the “grave mistake”.

Southwark Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said: “Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong. 

“It could force vulnerable elderly people to choose between eating and heating when temperatures drop.”

In their letter, Southwark Liberal Democrats pointed to other measures available including administering extra support through council tax.

A government spokesman said the measures have been brought in due to the “dire state” of the public finances it inherited, which required “difficult decisions” to fix.

The move is expected to save the Treasury £1.4billion this financial year.

The spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve. That’s why more than 12million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by almost £1,000 over the next five years.

“We are urging pensioners to come forward and check their eligibility for Pension Credit to ensure as many people in need have access to support.”

But Cllr Chamberlain said the Liberal Democrats “will do everything possible” to block the plans and are moving a motion in Parliament to do so.

Southwark Labour councillor, Stephanie Cryan, said: “We’re working flat out to get cost-of-living support to people in our borough. Our cost-of-living fund has provided support to thousands of families, many of whom are pensioners. 

“We’ll be working with the government to keep getting support to those who need it.”

Ms Deplessis said: “There is a lot of misunderstanding about what financial help is available to support older people and what they can apply for. The 50+ Advice team are very willing to help you apply for pension credit. Please get in touch to book an appointment.”

To get in touch visit: http://www.southwarkpensioners.org.uk/

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