September 24, 2024 - 329 views
Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West and Shadow Minister for North Wales in the Senedd, has strongly criticized the UK Government for cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners in North Wales.
He has now called on the Welsh Government to establish its own winter fuel allowance.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice responded by saying they are working to increase the uptake of Pension Credit, which is necessary to receive winter fuel payments.
In response, Mr. Millar challenged the Secretary's answer and accused the Welsh Government of not prioritizing vulnerable people.
Speaking afterwards, he said: “Labour keeps banging on about promoting Pension Credit, yet if all 880,000 eligible pensioners applied for Pension Credit, the Treasury could face a bill of £3.8 Billion, substantially more than the £1.4 Billion saving from scrapping non means tested Winter Fuel Payment.
“Additionally, an estimated 130,000 older people in the UK will miss out because they are just £500 over the income threshold to claim Pension Credit!
“It’s a ludicrous and hugely unpopular decision and needs to be urgently reviewed before the cold weather is upon us.”