Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 1:38 pm on 16 March 2022.
The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, the chief executive of Age Cymru, the director of the Bevan Foundation, the director of Citizens Advice Cymru, the chief executive of Care and Repair Cymru, the head of National Energy Action Cymru, and the head of Oxfam Cymru have issued themselves a joint statement, highlighting that the eligibility for the winter fuel support scheme should be expanded to include older people claiming pension credit. Now, the Welsh Government's 2022-23 budget notes that the criteria will be widened to pensioners eligible for pension credit. Whilst I would be grateful if you could confirm that individuals claiming pension credit will become eligible from the start of the next financial year, Minister, would you please explain the rationale behind excluding them in this financial year and if any retrospective support can be provided to assist with their fuel poverty? It is not fair to lay this blame for the cost-of-living crisis at the door of the Conservatives in the UK Government. There are things that you can do in the Welsh Government, so why is that support not there for them for this year? Diolch.