South Leicestershire Lib Dems call for Winter Fuel Payments to be backdated for local pensioners.

South Leicestershire’s Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to backdate the Winter Fuel Payment for local pensioners who lost out last winter.

Under the Government’s plans, all pensioners earning £35,000 a year or less will now have their Winter Fuel Payments reinstated this winter. However, those who are now eligible but lost out last winter won’t be reimbursed under the Government’s plans.

Paul Hartshorn has now called on the Government to backdate the support for pensioners in South Leicestershire who were stripped of the winter fuel payment last winter and are now entitled to support this time.

The local Liberal Democrat Paul Hartshorn said “it is the least pensioners deserve” after countless people were forced to choose between heating and eating after “the Government’s disastrous decision”.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for South Leicestershire, Paul Hartshorn said:

“I am glad that the Government has finally listened to the Liberal Democrats and other tireless campaigners in realising what a disastrous policy this was for elderly people in South Leicestershire.

“I heard countless stories from people here in South Leicestershire who were struggling to make ends meet after this support was stripped away. If the Government has truly ‘listened’ they should be backdating these payments to all those who lost support last winter but will receive it this time around.

“It is the least pensioners deserve after what they had to suffer through this winter. The Liberal Democrats will be pushing the Government every step of the way in Parliament, to force their hand and get these payments backdated.”

ENDS

Blaby District Council Update – Political Changes and Leadership Decisions

21 May 2025

Following the recent local elections and subsequent political movements within Blaby District Council, the composition of the council has changed significantly.

One Labour councillor has become Independent
One Conservative portfolio holder has also moved to Independent
The Liberal Democrats lost a seat to Reform UK

As a result, the current political makeup of the council is:

Conservatives: 18
Liberal Democrats: 8
Labour: 5
Greens: 2
Independents: 2
Reform UK: 1

At the council meeting held on Tuesday evening, elections were held for key positions, including the Chair of the Council. Traditionally, this role is rotated between parties as a gesture of cross-party cooperation. However, with the Conservatives holding only a slender lead, if at all, and the Chair having the casting vote in tied decisions, the Conservatives were determined to retain the position.

The Liberal Democrat group proposed that a Labour councillor take on the Chair role this year. This was in keeping with the established custom and also brought attention to a concerning arrangement: the Labour group leader had reportedly agreed to support the Conservatives in exchange for becoming Chair of Scrutiny, a role that includes an additional allowance.

This kind of deal-making for personal gain is deeply disappointing. Politics should be about service to the public, not private advantage or backroom arrangements.

As a result of this deal, Labour supported the Conservatives in the vote, and the Chair remains in Conservative control.

In addition, a new Conservative Council Leader has now been appointed.

We remain committed to standing up for transparency, accountability, and fair representation on Blaby District Council. Residents deserve a council that puts people before politics

South Leicestershire Lib Dems call for Winter Fuel Payments to be backdated for local pensioners.

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