Pensioners 'worried sick' about heating their homes without winter fuel payments (original) (raw)

Ten Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion opposing cuts to the winter fuel allowance - an early sign of the scale of rebellion Keir Starmer could have to face off when MPs vote on the policy on Tuesday

Keir Starmer could face a Commons rebellion over the measure

Pensioners are "worried sick" about how they will heat their homes following cuts, ministers have been warned ahead of a Commons vote on the changes.

Ten Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion opposing cuts to the winter fuel allowance - an early sign of the scale of rebellion Keir Starmer could have to face off when MPs vote on the policy on Tuesday.

Commons leader Lucy Powell said the Government has taken "some really difficult decisions" that it "did not want to make", including means testing the payment, although it is "not afraid" to debate the cuts. People in England and Wales not in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits will lose out under the policy.

It is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving around £1.4 billion this year. As well as the 10 sitting Labour MPs, an Early Day Motion opposing the move was signed by five MPs suspended from the Parliamentary Party for rebelling against Mr Starmer on the two-child benefit cap.

Labour MPs are likely to be whipped to vote for the measure when it comes to the Commons on Tuesday, but it's unclear whether anyone rebelling will face disciplinary action. But those who have already had the whip removed will find it difficult to find a way back if they vote against this measure as well.

Ms Powell said the changes were necessary because of a Treasury audit finding a £22 billion black hole in spending, inherited from the Conservatives. She said: "The legacy they have left us means we have had to make some really difficult decisions, decisions we did not want to make, like means testing the winter fuel payment.

"But we are doing all we can to support pensioners this winter: protecting the triple lock, which has seen the state pension go up by £900 this year and likely to rise by several hundred pounds next year; the Warm Home Discount worth £150; extending the Household Support Fund; and a huge campaign to get eligible pensioners onto Pension Credit.

"And yes, we have scheduled a vote on the winter fuel payment next week, because we are not afraid to have the debate about how we have got to where we have got to, a vote that, quite frankly, would not have happened under his party opposite because we respect Parliament and we respect doing things properly."

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