James Evans fears that pensioners, particularly in rural areas, will die of cold in the coming months because so many of them will no longer receive the winter fuel allowance.
The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said at the Senedd that pensioners are among the most vulnerable people in society.
Video from Senedd.tv
The Brecon and Radnorshire MS said at the Senedd that pensioners are among the most vulnerable people in society.
Video from Senedd.tv
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00:00Today we've come here to show our support for some of the most vulnerable people in our society, our pensioners.
00:07The UK Labour government's decision to remove the winter fuel payments has placed an additional and unacceptable burden on the elderly here in Wales.
00:16For pensioners in Brecon and Radnorshire, the removal will mean 23,898 people will lose their support.
00:24That support is not just a nice thing to have. For many, it's a matter of survival.
00:31Winter fuel payments have long been a vital lifeline for our older people, helping them to heat their homes during the cold winter months.
00:38Without it, pensioners face the harsh reality of rising fuel costs.
00:43Across the UK, energy bills have increased due to the war in Ukraine, and the cost of everything is rising.
00:51At that time, the Labour Party, which said it's there to support people, has decided to punish pensioners by taking away most of the support they have.
01:01Many pensioners live on fixed incomes, often relying on modest pensions that barely cover the essentials.
01:09In Wales, nearly one in five pensioners live in poverty, with many already struggling to get the basic needs.
01:16They are not all well off, as some Members think they are. Most are struggling and are living week to week.
01:23In rural Wales, where rural isolation is already a significant issue, the impact, I think, is even more profound.
01:31Rural fuel poverty in Wales is significantly higher than in urban areas.
01:36Many elderly residents live off-grid and far from support networks, and it makes it even harder for them to access the support when they need it.
01:45Without these payments, our pensioners are at risk of fuel poverty, forced to live in freezing conditions that jeopardise their health and wellbeing.
01:55As has already been said, 4,000 pensioners could potentially die because of this decision, and I think most of them will be in rural areas.
02:04These people are our parents, they're our grandparents, they're our neighbours and our friends.
02:11We owe them more than a cold winter at home and empty promises.
02:16They built and fought for the communities that we all call home.
02:20They deserve to live out their retirement in comfort and security, supported by a country that they have supported their whole lives.
02:30What they don't deserve from this Labour Government in Westminster is to live in fear of hypothermia and crippling debt at home.
02:39Today, I implore this Welsh Labour Government to take decisive action.
02:45We cannot in this Senate sit idly by while the most vulnerable members of our community in Wales are left to fend for themselves.
02:52The Welsh Government must step in where the Labour Government in Westminster has failed.
02:58Whether it's through a Welsh version of the winter fuel payments, expanding existing support schemes or working with local councils to provide direct assistance,
03:08we must quickly act to support our pensioners this winter.
03:13The First Minister has said on a number of occasions since taking post that she will put Wales first and her party second.
03:21This is the time to walk the walk and not talk the talk.
03:27I say to Labour Members today, back our pensioners, back Wales and vote for this motion before you today.