Colchester's Labour MP backs council's £1m for Winter Fuel Allowance

County Hall has allocated £1million to be given on the “most vulnerable” who no longer receive the Government’s Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) which was scrapped for most pensioners by the Labour government.

Only those on the benefit pension credit receive the allowance now, worth £200 or £300, which only applies to people in the UK with an income less than £218.15 for singles and £332.95 for joint households.

Ms Cox voted with her government to restrict winter fuel payments to all but the poorest of pensioners on Pension Credit – meaning a fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million people this winter.

At the time she said no Labour MP wanted to means test the allowance but the government “was elected to make the tough decisions needed to fix our country for the future”.

This vote came after data including from charity AGE UK found that 2.5 million older people on low incomes would now struggle, particularly people who “saved during their working lives” but lost out due to the “cliff edge” of Pension Credit.

Record - Colchester's Labour MP Pam Cox voted to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance to all but those on pension credit (Image: Roger Harris/Parliament) Ms Cox said: “The Labour Government have allocated £9.4million to Essex Country Council through the Household Support Grant with £1million specifically for pensioners to support them through the winter months.

“This is in addition to those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment by claiming Pension Credit. I fully support Essex County Council targeting it at those who need it most.

“As Colchester’s MP I have been holding special events across the constituency to support pensioners - including those that are not currently claiming Pension Credit but may be entitled to it.

“Working alongside organisations like the City Council and Citizens Advice we have already helped local people gain the support they need. I’d really encourage pensioners and others who may be struggling to seek support because help is available.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “The £1 million we have allocated will be targeted to support pensioners who are the most vulnerable this winter and who will no longer receive support from the Government’s Winter Fuel Allowance.

County Council was also asked the criteria for eligibility for their £1m payment and how many people would be eligible.

The funding is to distributed through ECC'S Essential Living Fund, which is for those who are either in receipt of benefits or working and receive a low income, or have other reasons to be supported for their independent living.

There is help and advice available to support people to apply for it, both through the fund and through other organisations including Citizen’s Advice Bureaus.