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