Manchester Greens have urged Labour to U-turn on their decision to remove winter fuel payments for all but the very poorest pensioners.
At today’s Manchester City Council meeting, the city’s Green councillors supported an opposition motion calling on the Labour government to reverse its planned scaleback of the payments, which Labour claims are no longer affordable.
The motion also urged the council to launch a ‘significant awareness campaign’ to maximise the take-up of pension credits.
The motion was rejected by the council’s Labour administration after it passed its own motion to promote a dedicated ‘pensioner hardship fund’, which will allow pensioners to access an emergency cash payment if they need it.
Cllr Astrid Johnson, leader of the Green Party on Manchester City Council, said: “Labour’s blunt policy to withdraw winter fuel payments from all pensioners except for those on pension credits is not just wrong but reckless.
“Even if our council manages to contact all those eligible for the credits, this will be a cold winter for those that are just above the pension credit threshold and those on low or modest incomes. The struggle of having to apply for various funding pots will put vulnerable people under further pressure, and the health impact of older people living in unheated homes will increase the pressure on the NHS.
“Targeting some of the most vulnerable people in society to fix the supposed ‘black hole’ in the public finances is cruel and unnecessary. Taxing multi-millionaires and billionaires a little bit more would not only easily cover the cost of winter fuel payments for all pensioners, but also generate additional funds for much-needed investment in our health and social care services.”
At today’s council meeting, Greens also supported an opposition call on the UK government to suspend all arms export licenses to Israel.
The motion, proposed by independent councillor Amna Abdullatif, aimed to keep the pressure on achieving an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as the Israel–Hamas war is set to reach over a year in duration next week. It was passed as amended by Labour to call for a review of arms licenses to Israel rather than an outright ban.
The motion comes in the wake of escalating conflict in the Middle East, as Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon attracted retaliatory missile strikes from Iran.
Cllr Anastasia Wiest, deputy leader of the Green Party on Manchester City Council, said: “For almost a year, Israel’s atrocities have been on public display. Our government has called for a ceasefire in Gaza and yet we are still sending Israel arms. Where are the deeds to back our calls?
“We cannot allow our weapons and components to be used to blindly exterminate people in Palestine and Lebanon. Our government must be on the right side of history and stand up for peace by ending UK arms sales to Israel and persuading other countries to follow suit.”
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Notes to editors:
The Green Party is an opposition party on Manchester City Council with three councillors. The leader of the Green group on the council is Cllr Astrid Johnson. The deputy leader is Cllr Anastasia Wiest.
The three Green councillors on the council are Cllr Astrid Johnson, Cllr Anastasia Wiest and Cllr Rob Nunney. All three represent the ward of Woodhouse Park.
Manchester City Council is formed of 87 Labour members, three Greens, four Liberal Democrats, one Worker’s Party member, and one independent.
Cllrs Johnson and Wiest can be available for interview upon request.
For further information, please contact Chris Ogden at press@manchester.greenparty.org.uk.