Lib Dems call for u-turn on winter fuel payments cut as almost 20,000 pensioners in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey at risk of losing vital support

Moray Liberal Democrat leader Neil Alexander is backing a motion in Parliament to block UK Government’s plans to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners.

It comes as new analysis shows an estimated 19,552 pensioners in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

This is the estimated number of pensioners in the constituency who don't receive pension credit, and so will lose the winter fuel allowance under the government’s plans unless they receive other benefits. The figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library based on data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Mr Alexander, who was among the candidates for Westminster for the constituency and who a candidate for the Elgin City South By-Election, said: “I’ve heard from countless pensioners across Elgin, and the Moray-based constituencies who are worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter.

“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners, such as those in Elgin just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong. It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter.

“I recognise that the new government faces difficult choices after the appalling mess left by the Conservatives. But a rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners in our community continue to get the support they so desperately need.”

This comes after Ofgem confirmed the new energy price cap for the period between October 1 and to 31 December 2024 with an increase of around 10 per cent for the average household bills in comparison to the previous price cap.

The Liberal Democrat motion aims to protect pensioners by blocking the government’s changes and restoring their Winter Fuel Payments. It is set to be tabled as soon as Parliament returns next week and has been backed by all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs.

Across the country, 11 million pensioners are set to lose their Winter Fuel Payment under the government’s plans, including two million that the charity Age UK has said will struggle to afford their energy bills as a result.

The Scottish Government has been preparing to replace the Winter Fuel Payment with Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and has announced that it will replicate the changes being made by the UK Government.

The replacement has been deferred until winter 2025-26.