Suffolk County Council today (17th of October) backed a motion proposed by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Matthew Hicks, condemning the Labour government’s decision to slash Winter Fuel Payments, a move that will leave over 177,000 of the county’s most vulnerable pensioners in a state of uncertainty as they face rising energy costs this winter.
The Conservative-run Council has demanded the Government to reverse its decision and restore vital support to Suffolk’s elderly residents.
In a further blow to residents, no Green or Labour councillors’ decisions supported this critical motion, raising questions about their commitment to protecting those hit hardest by Labour’s cuts.
Conservative Councillors expressed outrage at what was described as an “cruel and unnecessary” attack on pensioners, particularly in a rural county like Suffolk, where many residents are off the gas grid, heavily reliant on oil, and must use private cars to navigate the vast countryside. This decision disproportionately impacts Suffolk’s ageing population, already struggling with rising living costs under Labour’s mismanagement.
The motion passed with 43 votes in support, 10 against and 7 abstentions.
Cllr Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said:
“The new Labour government keeps delivering hammer blow after hammer blow to the residents of Suffolk. Labour approved the Sunnica Solar Farm against the wishes of local people, next they axed Suffolk’s £500 million county deal and now over 170,000 local pensioners face uncertainty over the future of their Winter Fuel Payments.
“As an administration, we will not stand by as the Labour government targets Suffolk’s most vulnerable. Winter Fuel Payments are not a luxury – they are a lifeline for thousands of pensioners across our county. We find it deeply concerning that Green Party councillors chose not to support Suffolk’s pensioners. Today was an opportunity to stand with our local residents, instead they chose to obfuscate and make excuses before sitting on their hands.”
Cllr Joe Mason, who seconded the motion, said:
“Suffolk is a rural county, with many people relying on oil to heat their homes and private cars to get to and from vital services and stay in touch with friends and loved ones. I’m pleased that the County Council voted to send a clear message to the Labour Chancellor that we oppose this punishing cut to Winter Fuel Payments and that she must not increase fuel duty. That Labour and Green councillors felt unable to back Suffolk’s pensioners is an utter disgrace.
“The Conservative administration at Suffolk County Council is committed to holding the new Labour government accountable and protecting the interests of our residents, standing firm against Labour’s short-sighted and harmful policies that threaten the livelihoods and wellbeing of Suffolk’s pensioners and rural communities.”
In the motion, the council outlined a series of actions to challenge the government policy and protect local residents, including calling on the Chancellor to reverse these cuts and opposing any fuel duty increases in the upcoming budget, committing to opposing these cuts at every opportunity, supporting rural communities reliant on private vehicles, and promoting a £3 million energy efficiency initiative. Additionally, the Council advocates for a flexible, technology-neutral approach to decarbonisation, opposing a restrictive ‘heat pump first’ strategy that disadvantages those in usually rural, oil-heated homes.
As in previous years, the Council will be buying and distributing through warm items for older people this winter – including hats/gloves/water bottles (warm packs). These will be sent to Suffolk’s most vulnerable pensioners who are referred by social workers, housing officers, district nurses and other local support services. The initiative forms part of Suffolk’s broader response to the Government's failings, ensuring that those most in need are not left behind.
