Suffolk County Council backs motion calling on Government to reverse winter fuel payments cut

A council has backed a motion criticising the Government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments.

Suffolk County Council said the move would could affect more than 177,000 of the county’s pensioners amid rising energy costs this winter.

The motion, introduced by council leader Matthew Hicks, asked the government to reverse its decision.

The council said the move would disproportionately affect Suffolk’s ageing population.

Cllr Hicks said: “Winter Fuel Payments are not a luxury – they are a lifeline for thousands of pensioners across our county.”

Cllr Joe Mason, who seconded the motion, said: “Suffolk is a rural county, with many people relying on oil to heat their homes and private cars to get to and from vital services and stay in touch with friends and loved ones.

“The Conservative administration at Suffolk County Council is committed to holding the new Labour government accountable and protecting the interests of our residents.”

The motion laid out a series of actions to challenge the government policy including a call for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to reverse the cuts and stating its opposition to any rise in fuel duty in the upcoming budget.

The council will be buying and distributing warm packs in the winter period this year. This will include hats, gloves and hot water bottles, which will be sent to the county’s most vulnerable pensioners referred by social workers, housing officers, district nurses and other support services.

The council has advocated for a flexible, technology-neutral approach to decarbonisation, opposing the ‘heat pump first’ strategy which it said would disadvantage those in rural, oil-heated homes.

The motion passed with 43 votes in support, 10 against and seven abstentions.