West Suffolk Council considers winter fuel payments scheme

During Tuesday night’s West Suffolk cabinet meeting, opposition Conservative councillor Joe Mason prompted members on the possibility of creating a winter fuel discretionary fund for struggling residents across the district.

His suggestion was meant to mitigate the impacts of last week’s Labour government decision to axe winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners, a benefit meant to help them with energy bills.

Councillor Joe Mason (Image: Phil Morley)

Labour has said the policy was introduced in a bid to plug what it described as a financial "black hole" by the previous Conservative government - something the Tories have denied.

Although there were promises of mitigations being put in place by the government, Mr Mason said he feared there was a "brewing winter fuel crisis".

He added many in Haverhill, the ward he represents, and across the district who just missed the threshold, some by just a pound or two, would be left in a vulnerable place and warned "a harsh winter could be devastating".

Councillor Donna Higgins (Image: Phil Morley)

Although not able to reveal any specifics or make any promises at this time, councillor Donna Higgins, the Labour-run council’s lead for families and communities, said conversations were already taking place between the authority and its partners on whether anything could be done to address the issue.

Also prompted by Mr Mason, however, Ms Higgins revealed the warm homes scheme would once again be rolled out this winter, with more information to follow soon.

The scheme provides residents in Suffolk with free energy efficiency measures, including loft, cavity wall and external wall insulation, in a bid to ease bills.