THERE is no adequate explanation for the urgency to cut the winter fuel allowance for all pensioners bar those on pension credit this year. 

It was not part of the Labour Party manifesto. We are told it was a “tough choice” — it was a choice to bypass the scrutiny of the social security advisory committee and also a choice not to deliver an equality impact assessment of the effect on the health and welfare of older people. 

It raises the question of the government’s attitude to the principle of universalism and in particular to the older generation. That is why on Monday October 7, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), trade unions, national and local organisations working with older people are holding a lobby of Parliament at Westminster with other actions in the devolved nations.