Fuel Poverty for County Durham Pensioners

Cuts to winter fuel payments could “push thousands of pensioners into fuel poverty” across County Durham, council leaders have warned.

Transcript

00:00Pushed thousands of pensioners into fuel poverty across County Durham, council leaders have

00:06warned.

00:07Cross-party councillors on Durham County Council have written to the Labour government

00:09urging it to reverse its decision.

00:11The controversial decision means that millions of pensioners across the UK won't receive

00:15the payments that are worth up to £300 this winter.

00:18Those who are not in receipt of pension credit or any other benefits will lose out under

00:21the government changes to winter fuel payments.

00:23According to the LDRS, 89,275 pensioners will be financially worse off because of this change.

00:31Councillor John Shuttleworth, leader of the independent group, said nearly 90,000 residents

00:34across our county are being impacted by the cuts in the winter fuel allowance.

00:38The Labour Party's own analysis showed that testing the winter fuel allowance in the way

00:42the government has done risks 4,000 deaths.

00:45It is also going to put immense pressure on the NHS and has left many of my residents

00:49really concerned about putting the heating on and many more being worried about their neighbours.

00:53The local authority was also urged to commence a significant awareness campaign to help get

00:58pensioners signed up for pension credit.