Age Scotland is urging the UK government to reconsider plans to scrap the winter fuel payment for pensioners who do not receive pension credit.
Scotland’s charity for older people has said the move will push tens of thousands of low income pensioners in Scotland further into poverty, and puts some of the poorest older people at greater risk of ill-health and burgeoning debt.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced the decision to means test the winter fuel payment – which is worth up to £300 a year for those of state pension age – on Monday. Anyone who does not receive, or claim, pension credit will no longer get the payment aimed at helping older people with fuel bills over the coldest months.
Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “This move will effectively take money away from some of the lowest income pensioners in Scotland.
“There are currently more than 150,000 pensioners living in poverty in this country, and we know that many more are living on incomes just above the pension credit threshold. They will now miss out on a payment which could help them heat their homes and stay warm over winter.
“I would urge the UK government to look again at this decision, which affects older people who are already struggling with the high cost of living and will now face being worse off at a time they desperately need support.
“Already we are getting calls to our helpline from older people who are distressed by the announcement and worried about what lies ahead. I would call on anyone in that position to get in touch with our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 where our advisers can carry out a full benefits’ check to ensure that you are getting everything you are entitled to.
“We know that around 123,000 pensioners in Scotland who are eligible for pension credit are not claiming it – and they are some of the people who are going to be worst affected when the payment is withdrawn. Just 140,000 pensioners do claim pension credit, which leaves many thousands losing out who really cannot afford to do so.
“The winter fuel payment is due to be devolved to the Scottish Government and our hope is that it will be restored as a universal benefit, particularly in light of the fact that Scotland does generally experience worse weather than other parts of the UK and more than half of those who receive it use it as an important part of winter budgeting.
“Keeping or reinstating the winter fuel payment will also ensure that money is going to those who need it most, when they need it most.”
The Scottish Government has also expressed ‘disappointment’ at Rachel Reeves decision.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley Ann Somerville said: “The Chancellor’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payment is disappointing and was made without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government.”
Nearly 50 organisations including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group and Liberty call on government to reconsider its plans
Unions, legal networks and rights organisations have today (Monday) slammed the government’s decision to reintroduce employment tribunal fees.
In a joint statement penned by 48 organisations and campaigners including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group, Liberty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, Mother Pukka, the groups call on the government to urgently reconsider its plans.
In 2017, after Unison brought a legal challenge, the Supreme Court quashed the previous tribunal fees regime because it “effectively prevents access to justice and is therefore unlawful.”
The joint statement says the decision will put yet another hurdle in front of those seeking justice, highlighting the existing barriers working people face including:
Lack of awareness of key employment rights and the process for bringing a claim.
Strict time limits on filing claims.
An under-resourced employment tribunal system leading to significant delays in cases being heard.
An under-funded labour market enforcement system that doesn’t have enough inspectors to proactively enforce employment rights.
The groups say that introducing fees will encourage exploitation of workers:
“We believe this will deter many from lodging worthy claims and gives a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers.
“Bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal.
“Employment rights are only real if they are enforced. Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice.”
They raise concerns about the impact on workers in the middle of a cost of living crisis:
“Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are to be asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives.
“Fee exemption procedures are complex and difficult to understand for many, especially within the three months’ time limit for most claims.
“Fees are also being levied at a time when rising inflation and subdued wages are putting pressure on family budgets. Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay.”
And they warn that those at the sharp end includes workers already at high risk of mistreatment
“Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice, especially workers at greater risk of employment law violations such as pregnant workers, disabled workers and migrant workers.”
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “All working people should be able to enforce their rights. But introducing fees for tribunals puts yet another hurdle in the way of those seeking justice at their most vulnerable moment.
“The Conservatives have already tried this and failed. Last time they introduced tribunal fees, claims dropped by two-thirds. And the Supreme Court threw fees out – saying they interfered with access to justice.
“That should have been the nail in the coffin for these cynical plans, but ministers have decided to side with bad bosses over workers and resurrect employment tribunal fees.
“Employment tribunal fees give employers a pass to exploit workers – whether it’s discrimination, unfair sackings or withheld wages.
“Working people shouldn’t be picking up the bill for exploitative employers’ poor behaviour. It’s plain wrong. Ministers must halt their plans without delay.”
Rosalind Bragg, Director at Maternity Action Group, said: “For pregnant women and new mothers in the cost of living crisis, every penny counts. Charging fees for employment tribunal claims puts the justice system out of reach for women at a time when they are most in need of protection.
“If the Government is serious about stamping out maternity discrimination, they should be reducing barriers to justice not increasing them. Fees will reduce the deterrent effect of the employment tribunal, reassuring bad employers that they can get away with breaking the law.
“We have laws in place to secure equal treatment of pregnant women and new mothers at work but these are ineffective without the robust operation of the employment tribunal.
“Fees are a step backwards in the fight for gender equality.”
The Joint Statement reads:
As organisations that advocate for workers’ ability to enforce their rights, we strongly oppose the government’s plans to impose fees on people who file an employment tribunal claim.
Following a landmark victory by trade union UNISON, the previous employment fees regime was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court due to its restriction on access to justice and discriminatory impact.
It appears the government is intent on repeating the mistakes of the past.
We believe reintroducing tribunal fees would block many from lodging worthy claims and give a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers.
There are already considerable barriers to those seeking justice at work:
An under-resourced employment tribunal system leading to significant delays in cases being heard.
An under-funded labour market enforcement system that doesn’t have enough inspectors to proactively enforce employment rights.
Lack of awareness of key employment rights.
A complicated process for bringing a claim.
Difficulty in accessing legal support.
Strict time limits on filing claims.
Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are to be asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives. Fee exemption procedures are complex and difficult to understand for many, especially within the three months’ time limit for most claims.
Fees are also being levied at a time when rising inflation and subdued wages are putting pressure on family budgets. Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay.
Meanwhile bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal.
Employment rights are only real if they are enforced. Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice, especially workers at greater risk of employment law violations such as pregnant workers, disabled workers and migrant workers.
We urge the government to reconsider its plans.
Signatories:
Trades Union Congress
Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX)
Maternity Action
Pregnant Then Screwed
Young Women’s Trust (Clairee Reindorp, CEO)
Liberty
Mother Pukka, Anna Whitehouse
Inclusion London
BARAC UK
Citizens Advice
Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU)
The William Gomes Podcast
After Exploitation
Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) for Refugees
Migrant Voice
Kalayaan
Work Rights Centre
Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC)
Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
Community Policy Forum
Right to Remain
Advice Services Alliance
Anti-Slavery International
Migrants’ Rights Network
Disability Rights UK
Legal Action Group
Protect
Fawcett Society
Your Employment Settlement Service
Just Fair
Labour Behind the Label
Legal Aid Practitioners Group
Highfields Centre
War on Want
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
