Party of Wales Gwynedd Councillors' Group

With over 20,000 Gwynedd pensioners missing out on winter fuel payments, equating to at least 85% of the county's older residents, many eyes turned to the budget last week.(In the picture, see Councillors Gwynfor Owen, Dewi Jones, Delyth Griffiths, Meryl Roberts and Dilwyn Morgan) 

At the last Cyngor Gwynedd meeting, Penrhyndeudraeth Councillor, Meryl Roberts, raised concerns on behalf of the county's older people, asking for her fellow councillors’ support to send correspondence to the UK Prime Minister criticising his cruel policy and asking him to reverse it.

Bala’s Councillor, Dilwyn Morgan, cabinet member for adults and Gwynedd Age-friendly Champion said: "So many of our residents do not claim pension credit. Around 1700 residents do not receive this support, so I would encourage people to check whether they are eligible for the support or not. If eligible, they benefit from a home heating fuel voucher, too.

"My concern are those people who are on the border, those who are a few pounds over the credit payment border. As a council, we have set up a Winter Payment Task Force for pensioners. A task force that looks cross-departmentally at the issue, from the Economic Department, Housing, Social Services, Income and Well-being Team, Siop Gwynedd and the Department for Finance. And the purpose will be to create a county-wide campaign to raise older people's awareness of what is available to them.

"We recently had an event at Porthmadog, ‘Byw'n Dda, Byw'n Iach’ where 20 organisations attended offering advice and guidance to our residents. There were sessions from the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions about how to communicate with people. I also had a conversation with the Commissioner for Older People to discuss how we can work together, to benefit the people of Gwynedd."

Councillor Gwynfor Owen, Harlech and Llanbedr Ward seconded Councillor Meryl Roberts' proposal at full council: “I see the recent announcement by the Labour Government as completely arrogant. The state pension currently stands at £218.16. How on earth are older residents supposed to live on that, let alone try to heat their houses this winter? This cut is an attack on the poor and vulnerable, by the Labour Party."

Another councillor who conveyed her anger at Westminster’s Government was Delyth Lloyd Griffiths, who represents Brithdir, Llanfachreth, Ganllwyd and Llanelltyd residents: "Everyone throughout the country is talking about this. 1977 people in Gwynedd lose out on this pension credit. The financial loss to Gwynedd is huge!

"If you are fortunate enough to receive the support from the pension credit of around £2677, you can then benefit from housing support of over £4,500 a year; £1670 towards Council Tax from Cyngor Gwynedd with £300 also available to help with the cold weather. That is the support available IF you are eligible for the pension credit. It is vital that people ask the Inland Revenue if they are eligible or not, or contact Siop Gwynedd, if you need further advice.

Councillor Dewi Jones who represents Peblig Ward, Caernarfon said: "This is the result of the Tories’ austerity, but Labour should not hide behind that. Starmer had every opportunity to make amends, but he didn't. So this is now Labour's austerity. There are people in my Ward who are really struggling this winter and the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves did not raise a finger to help the vulnerable in my area, last week.

“If Labour raised 2% tax only once on assets worth over £10 million, they would be able to raise £24 billion in a second to fill the black hole in the country's budget. Would they consider that? Of course not. Targeting the poor and the vulnerable will be Labour's legacy in London."

The notice of motion was passed by a clear majority, with strong correspondence sent to the Prime Minister, Kier Starmer, asking him to reverse his cruel policy which refuses the right to support older people pay for heating their homes this winter.