DISCRETIONARY ELEMENT OF THE WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE

That this House is concerned that the Government is not preserving the discretionary element of the winter fuel allowance; recognises that this vital support will be reduced by 50 for the over-60s and 100 for the over-80s in 2011-12; notes that this reduction in winter fuel allowance, alongside rising fuel prices, will add to the financial predicament of older people and threaten their wellbeing; acknowledges evidence that for every 1 spent on relieving poverty 42 pence will be recouped in health and wellbeing savings; and calls on the Government to maintain the discretionary element of the winter fuel allowance as part of the response to both fuel poverty and pensions poverty.