To consider Motions submitted in the name of any member, in accordance with Standing Order 5.15 of the Constitution.
Minutes:
The motion as submitted was proposed by Councillor Anna Bailey, seconded by Councillor Chris Boden.
An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Mike Davey, seconded by Councillor Mohammed Jamil.
On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried by a majority [6 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstention].
During discussion, members emphasised the need for different authorities to understand their roles. The need to be aware of the perception of a stigma around claiming pension credit was highlighted. It is vitally important to ensure people know their entitlements and where to seek help, support is required for the vulnerable.
The political nature of the amendment was noted, with a request for a compromise to enable prioritisation of poor pensioners over party politics. The substantive motion was carried a majority [6 for, 2 against, 1 abstention]
This Authority notes:
· The Labour Government has made the difficult decision to means test Winter Fuel Payments. This means that they will only continue to be received by those in receipt of Pension Credit and other benefits.
· The significant public concern about the impact of this change. Rising cost of living pressures have taken their toll in recent years, especially given the context of the numbers of older people left in a financially challenging and vulnerable position by the actions and management of the economy by the previous Conservative government. Government modelling estimates that the level of fuel poverty in 2024 will be 12.7%, whilst some estimates place the number of single pensioner households living in poverty between 20 and 23%. Age UK has suggested that at least 1.6 million pensioners living in poverty are not claiming eligible benefits, of which 1 million may currently be entitled to qualifying benefits but not claiming them. The position for our older residents is stark.
· Many pensioners who would be eligible for pension credit do not currently claim it. Research suggests that this is both because potential claimants are unaware that they are eligible and, to a lesser but significant extent, because they can feel uncomfortable in claiming benefits.
· The Energy Price Cap is due to rise by 10% in October, which makes it even more important that all residents are able to access all possible support available to them.
This Authority further notes:
· The financial shock experienced as a result of the disastrous Truss-Kwarteng minibudget, and the significant budgetary pressures imposed on the incoming Labour Government as a result of the serial mismanagement of the UK economy, best characterised by that budget, And especially the £22bn black hole in our nation’s finances, which is the context for the current chancellor’s decision.
· The Government’s commitment to the pensions triple lock, which is expected to deliver an increase of approximately £400 for those on the full new state pension.
· The continuation of the £150 Warm Home Discount for low-income households from October and the extension of the Household Support Fund with £421 million, which can be used to ensure local authorities can support vulnerable people and families.
· The low take up of Pension Credit with only 63% of those eligible nationwide receiving it – and over 880,000 pensioners not doing so. This Authority recognises the role we all have to play to increase awareness of benefits such as Pension Credit to ensure people get access to the support they are entitled to.
· It is vital, therefore, that we all make every effort to help eligible pensioners claim pension credit and other allowances they may be entitled to both highlighting eligibility as well as challenging concerns around claiming entitlements.
This Authority resolves to:
· Publicly support and endorse the work of our relevant constituent councils in their awareness campaigns to maximise uptake of pension credits, encouraging them all to use the Low-Income Families Tracker (LIFT) to identify those who are eligible.
· Request that the Mayor and all Board Members sign a joint letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty as part of it Warm Homes Plan, as well as considering what support can be given to help people reduce their energy bills and consumption.
· Commit the Authority to working collaboratively across in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to support residents during the cost of living crisis, as has recently happened in the Transport and Infrastructure Committee’s decision to extend of free travel for those with concessionary bus passes into peak hours from May 2025.
· Encourage local efforts to promote, as the government has advised, Pension Credit uptake through constituent council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that all eligible pensioners in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are supported in claiming their entitlement, and to be clear that there is no stigma in being in receipt of means-tested benefits
Supporting documents: