Older people in Ashby and North West Leicestershire are being encouraged to claim the pension credit they are entitled to – and unlock their access to winter fuel allowance.

A motion to Council from Councillor Michael Wyatt on Tuesday called for the chief executive of North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and local MPs asking for a pause in the plans to end universal winter fuel allowance and target it to those in receipt of pension credit.

The plans mean that the allowance will only normally be paid to those in receipt of pension credit – those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples).

Amid fears that some of the district's most vulnerable people would be affected by this change, councillors also agreed to increase awareness of the upcoming national changes, by encouraging people to take up pension credit.

It is estimated that only around 63 per cent of eligible people claim pension credit.

Under the government's current plans, those who are eligible but do not claim it risk losing the winter fuel allowance payment, which was previously paid to anyone of pensionable age.

Cllr Michael Wyatt. Photo: Coalville Nub News

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at NWLDC, said: "The cost of living crisis is not over and for many living in our district, the loss of the winter fuel allowance could mean real financial hardship, especially as fuel bills are set to rise this autumn with the energy price cap going up.

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"As a council we're concerned that people who need the most financial help will be hit hard by this change, so we're raising awareness through our benefits team and social media, whilst calling on the government to pause their work on this and come up with a different solution that doesn't put so many vulnerable people at risk."

Cllr Wyatt spoke to Tuesday's full council meeting to put the motion to committee members - and it was supported by 20 councillors.

• You can check if you or they are eligible for additional support by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility or calling the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234.