ABC Council is expected to write to the Prime Minister asking him to reverse the “harmful” changes to planned winter fuel payments for pensioners.
It will, that is, is the majority of councillors back a notice of motion due to go before the monthly meeting tonight (Monday).
That motion comes from the Ulster Unionist Party, proposed by Councillor Kyle Savage and seconded by Councillor Kate Evans.
It comes in the aftermath of recently highly publicised plans over means-testing moves for the annual payment to pensioners.
Many rely on the additional support each year and, with winter fast approaching, their have been loud calls for a change of heart by the new Labour Government, which had blamed the need for such action on its predecessors and the state of the UK’s finances after the Conservatives’ departure.
Now the Ulster Unionist Party is seeking the support of all councillors to lobby on behalf of those who will be hit hardest.
The motion “strongly opposes” Westminster’s recent winter fuel payment policy change.
And, it adds: “We resolve to write to the Prime Minister, urging the Government to reverse this harmful decision, which will have a far-reaching and devastating impact on pensioner households across the UK.
“Furthermore, we seek assurance that, at the very least, the Pension Credit minimum income guarantee will be increased, ensuring that more low-income pensioner households, particularly those who narrowly miss out, become eligible for Pension Credit.”
