NDM8651 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Winter fuel payment

NDM8651 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Expresses deep concern that around 400,000 households in Wales will lose up to £300 per person after the UK Government’s decision to end the universal winter fuel payment.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip's response to WQ93698 where she stated that the UK Government's decision to end the winter fuel payment will risk pushing some pensioners into fuel poverty.

3. Calls on the UK Government to reverse its decision to end the universal winter fuel payment.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that the UK Government has made difficult choices, such as changes to the winter fuel allowance eligibility, as a result of 14 years of economic mismanagement.

2. Welcomes the commitment to the triple lock and a targeted approach to the Warm Home Discount

3. Agrees that maximising incomes, building financial resilience, and putting money back into people’s pockets are priorities to help alleviate the impact of high energy prices, and encourages people to find out about the financial support they may be entitled to through Advicelink Cymru.

4. Supports the principle of a social tariff to protect the most vulnerable customers, and calls on OFGEM to reform standing charges.

Amendment 2 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that the withdrawal of the inclusive winter fuel payment provision is a continuation of the austerity agenda of the previous UK Conservative Government.