Councillor Janette Williamson left the chamber for the duration of this debate.

Councillor Jeff Green moved and Councillor Lesley Rennie seconded a motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 13.

In moving the motion, Councillor Green confirmed that he was happy to accept the Green Group amendment, which was moved by Councillor Gail Jenkinson, and seconded by Councillor Naomi Graham as follows:

Insert an additional bullet point under section “Council believes:”

• Minimising energy use is a highly effective way to tackle fuel poverty. Improved insulation is essential to create more warm, healthy homes

Insert an additional bullet point after bullet point 1 in section “Council resolves to:”

• As part of the above letter, urge the Chancellor to make funds available for an accelerated roll out of home insulation prioritising those residents currently experiencing high levels of fuel poverty.

Following a debate, and Councillor Green having replied a recorded vote was then taken and the Council divided as follows:

For the motion (33) - Baldwin, G Bennett, Bird, Booth, Brame, Cameron, Carubia, Cleary, Cooke, Gardner, Gilchrist, Gorman, Graham, Green, Grier, Hodson, Hodson, Jenkinson, Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Lamb, Lewis, Molyneux, Mountney, K Murphy, Onwuemene, Raymond, Rennie, Tomeny, C Walsh-McDonald, J Walsh-McDonald, Wilson.

Against the motion (23) - Ainsworth, P Basnett, S Bennett, Cooper, Davies, G Davies, Foulkes, Grey, Hall, Jobson, Kenny, Laing, Luxton-Kewley, J McManus, T Murphy, Pitt, Powell-Wilde, Robinson, Skillicorn, P Stuart, Sullivan, J Williams, Wood.

Abstention (1) – Povall

The substantive motion, as amended, was therefore –

Resolved (23:33) 1 Abstention –

Council notes:

• That, in Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer and Labour pledged to maintain Winter Fuel Payments and to freeze energy bills.

• That, in Opposition, the Labour Party commissioned the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to report on the likely effects of means-testing Winter Fuel Payments. It found that some 4,000 pensioners across the country could die if the Winter Fuel Payments are effectively scrapped.

• Labour’s decision, after the election, to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners, includes 1.6 million pensioners with a disability and 1.2 million pensioners in absolute poverty.

• Data from the Department for Work and Pensions showing 58,800 pensioners in Wirral who received Winter Fuel Payments in 2023 (including 18,620 pensioners aged 80 or above), and who do not receive Pension Credit, are expected to lose the payment.

 • The remarks by Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK: ‘There are also about a million pensioners whose weekly incomes are less than £50 per week above the poverty line, who will also be hit hard by the loss of the Payment. Older people in this group often tell us they really struggle financially; the proposed change will make it even harder for them to afford to stay warm when it gets chilly.’

Council believes:

• That the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across Wirral and that restricting its availability solely to those on Pension Credit risks leaving many pensioners in financial hardship, including those with disabilities and long-term ill health.

• The impact of removing Winter Fuel Payments and the 10% increase in the Energy Price Cap will have a devastating impact on many pensioners in the Borough, particularly those who have incomes just above the threshold for Pension Credit.

• The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, at such short notice, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.

• The government’s approach fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.

• Minimising energy use is a highly effective way to tackle fuel poverty. Improved insulation is essential to create more warm, healthy homes. Council resolves to: ? Request that all four Group Leaders write a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and copied to Wirral’s four Labour MPs, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

? As part of the above letter, urge the Chancellor to make funds available for an accelerated roll out of home insulation prioritising those residents currently experiencing high levels of fuel poverty.

? Request the Mayor, on behalf of the Council, to sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition being run by Age UK and circulate to all Members offering them the opportunity to sign the petition themselves.

? Instruct the Chief Executive to write to all voluntary, community and faith organisations supporting pensioners and those in fuel poverty inviting them to meet with the Council’s Senior Leadership Team.