Vulnerable pensioners, hospitality and farming sectors are all in need of help – West Dorset MP Edward Morello calls for urgent change
In an effort to plug the black hole in public finances left by the previous government’s economic mismanagement, the new government has made the indefensible decision to strip pensioners of their winter fuel payments.
This will directly impact more than 20,000 residents of West Dorset. The decision to do so means that many vulnerable people will be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter.
West Dorset is a wonderful a place to live, and understandably many people choose to retire here – but many of our fellow residents rely on that £300 winter fuel payment to soften the impact of energy bills that have increased by 34 per cent in the last decade. I have voted against this decision, and will continue to push the Chancellor to reconsider. In the meantime, I would strongly urge anyone affected to see if they are eligible for pension credits. It is a somewhat convoluted application process, but if you are eligible then it means you will continue to receive your winter fuel payment.
The local economy
With the arrival of Autumn it is worth reflecting on the extremely wet summer we have just experienced, and the significant knock-on impact it has had on two of West Dorset’s most vital sectors – hospitality and farming.
Early indications are that this year’s harvest is down 15 per cent on 2023, and hospitality takings are as much as 25 per cent down.
As a result of high taxes, the cost of alcohol in pubs and restaurants means many of us choose to stay at home rather than going out. Hospitality is one of the largest employers in West Dorset, and I will be pushing the Treasury to look at what measures can be taken to reduce the operating costs for the sector.
At the same time, the NFU is reporting the farming budget was underspent by more than £300 million last year – in no small part due to bad management by officials – and that the Treasury might use this as an excuse to reduce the current spending.
With basic farm payments set to disappear, far from being reduced the farming budget needs to dramatically increase if we are to protect our rural food producers.
Please do contact me on: edward.morello.mp@parliament.uk
