CALLS are being made for Winter Fuel Payments to be backdated for Stratford pensioners.
Under the government’s plans, all pensioners earning £35,000 a year or less will now have their Winter Fuel Payments reinstated this winter. However, those who are now eligible but lost out last winter won’t be reimbursed under the government’s plans.
Stratford MP Manuela Perteghella is calling on the government to backdate the support for pensioners in Stratford who were stripped of the winter fuel payment last winter and are now entitled to support this time.
She said “it is the least pensioners deserve” after countless people were forced to choose between heating and eating after “the government’s disastrous decision”.
Dr Perteghella continued: “I am glad that the government has finally listened to the Liberal Democrats and other tireless campaigners in realising what a disastrous policy this was.
“My postbag was full of stories from people here in Stratford who were struggling to make ends meet after this support was stripped away. If the government has truly ‘listened’ they should be backdating these payments to all those who lost support last winter but will receive it this time around.
Leader of Stratford District Council Susan Juned is backing the MP’s call.
She added: “I wrote to the Chancellor back in October, stressing the urgent need to review its decision on the Winter Fuel Allowance, and protect pensioners in Stratford from fuel poverty.
“Backdating the Winter Fuel Allowance is the least pensioners deserve after what they had to suffer through this winter. I am pleased that Liberal Democrat MPs will be pushing the government every step of the way in Parliament, to force their hand and get these payments backdated.”
