The Disability Poverty Campaign Group (DPCG) member organisations strongly urge MPs tomorrow, to vote against plans to means-test the support provided by the Winter Fuel Payment.
Winter is approaching and from next month, the energy price cap will rise to £1,717 up £149 from the current level of £1,568. This is a rise of around 10% on the previous price cap and, according to the regulator Ofgem, will add an extra £12 to the average monthly energy bill. Disabled citizens are having to manage energy cost rises alongside increases in housing, food, social care and transport costs. Removing the Winter Fuel Payment from low-income disabled pensioners risks people being forced to switch off heating or deciding not to charge health-related or mobility equipment.
The withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment will not only drive people into greater poverty and ill health but will result in higher levels of winter deaths. The withdrawal of Winter Fuel Payment should be voted against.
DPCG urges all MPs to vote against the proposed cut to the Winter Fuel Payment in recognition of the hardship it will cause for low-income disabled pensioners.
If the Government proposal is accepted, older Disabled people, many of whom have at least one age-related impairment, will struggle to heat their homes and power essential equipment needed for health and mobility. It will drive an increase in poverty and contribute to an excess of winter deaths.
Disabled lives depend on warm homes and uninterrupted and affordable energy supply.