Nottinghamshire council 'proud' to oppose its own party's winter fuel payment cut

Households will only be entitled to the winter fuel payment if they receive pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits

A group of Nottinghamshire Labour councillors say they are proud to have backed a review of their party's decision to start means-testing winter fuel payments. Milan Radulovic, the Labour leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, is set to write to the Chancellor formally requesting a review of the decision.

Rachel Reeves announced soon after taking office that households across England and Wales would only be entitled to the winter fuel payment if they received pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits. The DWP estimates that 1.5 million people will still receive a payment this winter.

Nottinghamshire County Council says the change will mean nearly 90% of Nottinghamshire pensioners being unable to claim winter fuel payments. Age UK has been among the organisations criticising the move, with the charity saying it will "leave millions of struggling pensioners without money they rely on".

Broxtowe Borough Council has now become the first Labour-led Nottinghamshire council to formally criticise the move. A motion at a recent full council meeting, held on October 9, was actually introduced by the Conservative group but ended up being approved by Labour councillors too.

The Broxtowe Labour group marked its vote by writing: "Proud that our councillors voted in favour of this motion last week, following many impassioned speeches from all sides. We join our unions, UNISON and Unite the Union in calling for a rethink on the new criteria to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.

"We will fight for what's right for our local communities and always help those in need. Your community is our community."

The approved motion means Councillor Radulovic will request a review of the decision and ask the government to ensure vulnerable pensioners, particularly those not claiming pension credit, are protected from fuel poverty. The council also says it will continue an awareness campaign to make sure all those eligible for pension credit take up the benefit.