Joel James MS, Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central is today leading the Welsh Conservative debate calling on the Welsh Government to act against The Labour Party's cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
The decision will affect 100,000 pensioners in Joel's region of South Wales Central alone, with hundreds of thousands more across Wales not receiving up to £300 this winter.
Today the Welsh Conservatives will debate their motion which proposes the following:
1. Expresses deep concern that around 400,000 households in Wales will lose up to £300 per person after the UK Government’s decision to end the universal Winter Fuel Payment.
2. Notes the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip's response to WQ93698 where she stated that the UK Government's decision to end the Winter Fuel Payment will risk pushing some pensioners into fuel poverty.
3. Calls on the UK Government to reverse their decision to end the universal Winter Fuel Payment.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Joel said:
Today in the Welsh Parliament, I am proud to lead the Welsh Conservatives Debate calling on the Welsh Government to act against The Labour Party's cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance. This decision will affect over 100,000 pensioners in my region of South Wales Central alone.
I recently visited the The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory in Penarth to meet with concerned pensioners in the community and to hear their thoughts on this cut and the impact it will have on their daily lives.
Cutting the universal winter fuel scheme is exceptionally short-sighted and will risk pushing many pensioners into fuel poverty. It also creates a sharp ‘cliff edge’ for those whose income is just above pension credit levels.
To watch the debate live, please click here.
