Rushcliffe MP James Naish has responded this lunchtime to a letter from the leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council urging him to vote against today’s Winter Fuel Payment withdrawal in the Commons.
The letter reads:
‘Dear Neil,
‘Thank you for your letter.
‘I have shared my thoughts on today’s Winter Fuel Payment motion on social media. While I continue to have concerns about the potential cliff edge facing pensioners just above the Pension Credit threshold, I also support changes to the construct of the Winter Fuel Payment given this is a universal payment received by some of the wealthiest in society as well as the most vulnerable. After a decade of national financial mismanagement, we will need to reluctantly make changes to the status quo.
‘In Bassetlaw when I was Leader of the Council, we convened a cost-of-living summit with 20 partner organisations and spent £460k from our reserves to support local people in the winters of 2022/23 and 2023/24. This included employing extra money advisors, providing financial support to our local Citizens Advice office, funding warm spaces with community groups, supporting a roaming food bank community shop, and producing useful guides such as a booklet with Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service which offered advice on a range of topics such as money, mental health, food, energy, and housing.
‘I have no doubt that you are considering how best to support residents this winter and I would, therefore, welcome an update from Rushcliffe Borough Council about what it will be offering, directly and indirectly, to support all Rushcliffe residents this winter. I am happy to put you in touch with colleagues in Bassetlaw if you would value learning more about the on-the-ground support that we provided which was welcomed by the third sector and residents alike. I know plans are already emerging for support services this winter.
‘In the meantime, you have my assurance that I will keep lobbying for more support for the most vulnerable until the Spending Review at the end of October.
Kind regards,
James Naish MP
Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe’
Related
• The letter from Cllr Neil Clarke
Support
For all the latest on wider support and advice, including on energy bills, in light of recent
increases in the cost of living visit www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/costofliving
Please email james.naish.mp@parliament.uk if you have immediate concerns about money over the winter months and he will help you navigate the support available.
