Senedd rejects opposition’s winter fuel motion

Published

3 months ago

September 22, 2024

SENEDD members narrowly rejected Conservative calls to urge the UK Government to reverse its decision to end universal winter fuel payments.

Labour voted down the motion while Plaid Cymru joined the Conservatives in backing it, with the final tally 23 in favour and 24 against.

Leading the debate, Joel James warned that about 400,000 households in Wales will lose up to £300 per person after the UK Government’s decision.

He said the cuts blindsided millions of pensioners, who have now been put into a state of fear over the affordability of bills which are predicted to jump by 10% in October.

The Tory shadow social justice secretary rejected “disingenuous, manufactured” claims of a £22bn black hole in UK public finances, saying a recent audit identified no such shortfall.

He described the reforms as “exceptionally shortsighted and callous”, warning it risks pushing thousands of pensioners into fuel poverty.

Mr James pointed out that almost 900,000 people are entitled to pension credit – one of the eligibility criteria for winter fuel payments – but do not claim the benefit.

He said: “What is most alarming … the new Labour [UK] Government has commissioned no impact assessment whatsoever on the impact of this cut.

“And the Labour Party’s own research has estimated that by scrapping universal winter fuel payments, excess deaths will increase by almost 4,000 people.”

Mr James, who represents South Wales Central, accused Welsh Labour MPs of showing “contempt and cowardice” by failing to vote against scrapping the cut.

Sioned Williams, who represents South Wales West, said Plaid Cymru shares the Conservatives’ concerns and the party would back the motion.

But the shadow social justice secretary described the cut as a continuation of the austerity agenda of the previous UK Government.

She said: “That is a crucial point in our view because we are a party that completely rejects the ideology and policies of austerity.”

Ms Williams described austerity as an entirely ineffective and unfair policy which transfers money from the poorest to the richest in society,

She told the Senedd the Conservative UK Government forced pensioners to make impossible decisions between eating and heating,

Ms Williams said it was hugely concerning to see “spineless” Welsh Labour MPs allowing the cut to pass through the UK Parliament.

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher, accused the Conservatives of hypocrisy, pointing out that the party previously called for an end to universal free prescriptions in Wales.

The Swansea East MS, who chairs the cross-party group on older people, told the chamber: “I started to receive my state pension in July.

“I’ve never received a winter fuel allowance payment and now I will not.

“Do I need it? No. Do Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Sting or Mick Jagger need it? I could go on … naming people who are very wealthy and don’t need it.”

Mr Hedges said: “There is a discussion to be had over the universality of support – there’s a balance between ensuring no one misses out and the cost of provision.”

Peter Fox, a Conservative MS, said an estimated 21,000 pensioners in his Monmouth constituency will lose out on winter fuel payments.

He told the chamber: “That payment, brought in by Rishi Sunak, was incredibly important in helping support pensioners through harsh winters.

“Now, we’re seeing this vital support being ripped from them to help fund things like the massive pay rises to train drivers who already have a great wage.”

He accused Labour of u-turns, saying Keir Starmer put out a pre-election video captioned: “Pensioners deserve security in retirement and that is what my government will deliver.”

Mr Fox, the former leader of Monmouthshire council, stressed that cutting winter fuel payments was a political choice and money could have been found elsewhere.

Heledd Fychan challenged Labour backbenchers, asking: “Imagine if a Conservative government had done this – what would your comments have been then?”

The Plaid Cymru MS said: “People will die as a result of this decision, we know that.”

Ms Fychan, who represents South Wales Central, said one in six older people in Wales is living in relative income poverty, with an older population than the rest of the UK.

James Evans, the Tory MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, told the chamber winter fuel payments have been a lifeline for older people.

He accused Labour of punishing pensioners: “What they don’t deserve from this Labour government in Westminster is to live in fear of hypothermia and crippling debt.”

Laura Anne Jones claimed the UK Government’s sums do not add up.

The Tory MS said cutting winter fuel support has been estimated to save about £1.5bn but if everyone eligible for pension credit claimed it, it would actually cost an additional £3.3bn.

Ms Jones raised an “appalling” constituency case of a woman in her 70s who was so worried about paying energy bills that she was forced to take a part-time job.

She added that 1.6 million disabled pensioners will be stripped of their payment.

Natasha Asghar, who also represents South Wales East, said Senedd Conservatives were blamed and held to account in the chamber for UK Government decisions over 14 years.

“Yet during the first opportunity for scrutiny yesterday,” she said. “The first minister distanced herself immediately from Keir Starmer, abdicating responsibility.”

Responding to the debate on September 18, Jane Hutt reiterated that difficult decisions are being taken due to a £22bn “black hole” in the public purse and a “bleak” outlook.

Wales’ social justice secretary said the former chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, failed to account for public sector rises recommended by independent pay review bodies.

Ms Hutt highlighted support available via the discretionary assistance fund but she warned that too few people are taking up the Welsh Government grants.

She said: “We have to support those people who have been affected by 14 years of austerity and Tory economic mismanagement.

“We have a duty to turn this around at all levels of government and reach out to those most affected by the shameful legacy of the £22bn black hole.”

Pembrokeshire town 4G phone mast plans withdrawn

Published

18 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a replacement 20-metre-high 4G phone mast tower in north Pembrokeshire, which the local town council says would have “an unacceptable adverse impact” on the national park’s beauty have been withdrawn.

In an application before Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Cellnex, through agent Telent, sought permission to replace an existing 10m high mast with a new 20m 4G tower with three Vodafone antennae and nine mast head amplifiers, and associated works, on land at Dwr-y-Felin Farm, Fford Bedd Morris, Newport.

The application for a 4G mobile base station for the mobile network operator(s) (MNOs) Vodafone Ltd in conjunction with Cornerstone. The application site is owned / operated by Cellnex UK, a radio site infrastructure provider.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “The proposed antenna height of 20m is essential to provide new 4G coverage and replacement 2G and 3G service provision to the surrounding area. 4G radio signals are more sensitive to physical obstructions than older technologies.

“This is because the higher the frequency band the greater the reduction in signal strength, increasing the likelihood of dropped calls and reduced data rates for internet browsing,” adding: “Generally, the higher the signal frequency the more it will be impacted by clutter. It is for this reason that there is the height of 20m is required.”

It went on to say it “should be noted that a radio base station within this location has already been considered acceptable and has become an established feature within the area and the proposed upgrade albeit different in design to support the latest equipment will not be of substantial or detrimental harm to the national park, conservation area or heritage assets”.

Newport Town Council had objected to the application, saying: “The proposed development (if approved in its current form) will have an unacceptable adverse impact on the qualities and special landscape and seascape character of the National Park and also on the special qualities of natural beauty and tranquillity.”

The application has now been withdrawn.

Charity

Flats for veterans to be built at VC Gallery, Pembroke Dock

Published

18 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to build flats for armed forces veterans on a former Pembrokeshire school yard/playing field next to veterans’ charity the VC Gallery has been approved by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, veterans’ charity The VC Gallery sought permission for eight flats in two blocks of two-storey buildings, including wheelchair accessible flats, for Armed Forces veterans on land to the east of the former St Marys Catholic School site, Britannia Road, Pembroke Dock.

The former school, which closed in 2019, is currently used as the VC Gallery, itself an expansion of veterans’ charity the VC Gallery’s home in Haverfordwest, set up by Barry John MBE.

Documentation, through agent Pembroke Design Limited included a supporting statement by Barry John MBE, which it says “explains the issues that veterans face after leaving the services, the need for dedicated housing provision, the support that VC Gallery’s staff and volunteers provide and the gaps in current provision which the proposed development will help address”.

It added: “Although the development will provide and encourage independent living for its tenants, essential physical and mental support will be provided by the staff and volunteers in the VC Gallery as required, in accordance with individual veterans’ needs. Many will need a high level of support and the close proximity of the flats to the facilities and people on hand in the adjacent VC Gallery is therefore critical to the proposal’s purpose.”

Mr John’s statement said: “We want to create a unique offer to Armed Forces veterans in Pembrokeshire by offering up not just quality accommodation in a gated and safe environment but to also have a bespoke peer mentoring service.”

He added: “Working alongside our stakeholders The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and the OVA (Office of Veterans Affairs) we have secured a grant to draw up plans and to look at how the secured land at the VC Gallery Pembroke Dock can be turned into a bespoke housing solution for Armed Forces Veterans.

“We have Service level agreements with the local authority for specifically supporting tenancy in veterans which will also extend to giving vital counselling services. Our work with the health board and provision for peer mentorship also gives us great grounding for effective help on a practical level for the veterans’ village but we will need a more designated package around the housing we provide to include both mental health and also maintenance (something we don’t have at present).”

His statement finished: “We think the need is great, we have the land, we have the skills for care and the ambition to help. It would be a project above all social housing enterprises, and we want to make a go of it.”

Politics

Call to stop councillors being employed by MPs and MSs

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to stop senior Pembrokeshire county councillors being employed by MPs or Senedd members is to come under greater scrutiny at a special council committee.

In a Notice of Motion submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy said: “While it is acceptable for Cabinet members to hold other employments, no serving county councillor should hold a Cabinet position within Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) while simultaneously being employed by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Senedd (MS).

“Cabinet members hold executive responsibilities, and such dual roles risk potential conflicts of interest, particularly if Cabinet decisions conflict with the policies of their employer, often a political party. This concern is heightened in a council where most members are Independents.”

Cllr Murphy’s notice of motion was heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council where it was agreed the matter be referred to a future constitutional review committee.

In the registration of interests for the eight members of Leader Cllr Jon Harvey’s Cabinet, only Cllr Joshua Beynon, deputy leader of the Labour Group and Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, lists a politician as an employer, in his case newly-elected Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell.

Responding to the notice of motion, Cllr Beynon has previously said: “This motion, which appears to target my unique position as a Cabinet Member for Finance and part-time parliamentary employee, raises serious questions about its fairness, legality, and intent.

“At its core, this is a politically motivated motion that seeks to undermine the principles of fairness and freedom. It attempts to dictate lawful employment choices of councillors, disregarding the importance of balancing public service with individual rights. Such an approach risks creating a chilling effect, discouraging capable individuals from serving in public office in the future.”