TSSA tells Chancellor to reconsider withdrawal of winter fuel payments 

Labour affiliated travel and transport union TSSA has called on the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to ‘step back from the brink’ and reconsider her plans to remove winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.  

The move comes after a vote at Labour’s Annual Conference, led by the unions, was passed calling on the government to reverse its planned cuts to the payment.  

Last month TSSA’s General Secretary, Maryam Eslamdoust, wrote to Reeves expressing ‘deep concern’ and urging a reconsideration of ‘the devastating impact’ of removing the payment. 

Now, in the light of the Conference vote the TSSA leader is again demanding a U-turn. 

Commenting, Eslamdoust said: “It’s not too late for the government to step back from the brink of implementing a decision on winter fuel payments which would have a devastating impact on many vulnerable pensioners.  

“The Budget next month provides ample scope to change tack and find this money elsewhere. The cost of going ahead would not only be tragic for pensioners but also a serious and unnecessary misstep by Ministers.  

"While ministers are relying on private donors to fund their clothes, birthday parties, holidays, leisure activities and even their living arrangements, they are making cruel and out-of-touch decisions that deprive pensioners of a once-a-year heating subsidy. This callous approach shows a complete disregard for the well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in our society, who are now forced to choose between heating and eating. 

“Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer have been given a clear signal across the breadth of Labour’s Conference – think again. That decision should be respected.” 

ENDS 

Notes –  

Text of letter from Maryam Eslamdoust to Rachel Reeves, dated 15th August 2024 

Dear Chancellor  

Urgent Plea to Maintain Winter Fuel Payment Amid Rising Fuel Costs 

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding plans for elimination of the Winter Fuel Payment, especially in light of the unprecedented rise in energy costs.  

This benefit has been a lifeline for millions of pensioners across the country, and any reduction in its eligibility would have disastrous consequences. As you are aware, energy prices have reached astronomical levels, creating a perfect storm of financial pressures on households, particularly those on fixed incomes.  

Pensioners are among the most vulnerable. They are often unable to supplement their income through employment, making it nearly impossible to absorb these additional costs without severe impacts on their standard of living. For many pensioners, the Winter Fuel Payment is not a luxury but a necessity.  

It is often the difference between keeping their homes warm during the coldest months or facing the dangerous prospect of fuel poverty. The physical and mental health implications of living in a cold home are well-documented, particularly for older adults who are more susceptible to the effects of cold weather. Increased risks of hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, and even mortality are stark realities that many pensioners could face if forced to endure inadequate heating.  

Moreover, the broader societal implications of such a decision cannot be ignored. Increased strain on the NHS from preventable cold-related illnesses, a rise in emergency service demands, and the potential for an increase in mortality rates among the elderly are just a few of the serious consequences that would follow a reduction in the Winter Fuel Payment.  

I urge you to consider the devastating impact that removing or reducing this payment would have on our elderly population. In these challenging times, it is crucial that we protect the most vulnerable members of our society.  

The Winter Fuel Payment represents a critical component of this protection, ensuring that pensioners can live with dignity and without the fear of choosing between heating and eating. I implore you to maintain and, if possible, increase the Winter Fuel Payment to reflect the current and projected energy costs. Doing so will not only protect the health and well-being of our pensioners but will also reaffirm our commitment to supporting those who have contributed so much to our society over the years.  

Thank you for considering this urgent matter. I hope you will act in the best interest of our senior citizens.  

Yours sincerely 

Maryam Eslamdoust TSSA General Secretary 

*TSSA is an independent trade union for the transport and travel industries. We have thousands of members right across the UK and Ireland, working for the railways and associated companies, as well as ferries, bus services and the travel trade.