Today [Tuesday 10th September], Dame Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport, Lee on the Solent, Stubbington, and Hill Head voted for two Conservative motions against the decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments.
The Conservatives tabled a motion to annul the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024, which were laid by the Labour Government to remove Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners. The SI was due to come in to force on 22 September, at which point payment of winter fuel allowance would be linked to receipt of pension credit. The vote on this motion came before a Conservative Opposition Day debate on Winter Fuel Payment.
Caroline voted against the Government in both votes.
Intervening in the Opposition Day debate, Caroline said:
“Pensioners in my constituency will be feeling really saddened by the way he is caricaturing them as wealthy and not in need of this winter fuel support.
“Age UK have said that in the Gosport constituency alone there are 15,000 pensioners who stand to lose their winter fuel payment. These are not people who are wealthy, they are people who in many cases are just outside of the pensions credit limit and are hanging on by their fingertips. Does he agree with me that caricaturing them as wealthy and not in need is so unbelievably insulting?”
Speaking after the Opposition Day debate, Caroline said:
“The speed with which these proposals have been announced and enforced has left no time for their scrutiny. I am especially concerned that there are 800,000 pensioners across the country who are eligible for pension credit but who have not applied, and so will no longer receive the vital support of Winter Fuel Payment.
“I know that claiming pension credit will come with its own struggles for many pensioners in the Gosport Constituency who are not digitally literate, or who are overwhelmed by the 243 questions on the application form, or who are disabled or vulnerable. They are the ones most in need of this small payment.
“This decision from the Labour Government is a cruel blow to them especially as we approach the Winter.”
Rishi Sunak MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, said:
"Labour’s choice to cut vital support for pensioners to fund an inflation-busting pay rise for train drivers is unnecessary and wrong.
“On top of that, Labour are rushing through this cut, without being straight with the British public about the true impact facing pensioners.
"The last Conservative Government always made sure to protect our vulnerable pensioners, because we believe that those who have worked hard all their lives deserve security and peace of mind in retirement.
"But within weeks of coming into power Labour are cutting the Winter Fuel Payments, with potentially devastating consequences.
"Labour MPs know this is indefensible – they must do the right thing and force the Government to come clean about the impact this punishing cut will have."
Mel Stride MP, Shadow Work and Pensions’ Secretary, said:
“Today is the chance for Labour MPs to put party politics aside and do the right thing by voting for our motions.
“Sir Keir Starmer has made the decision to take the Winter Fuel Payment away from 10 million pensioners whilst handing billions to his union paymasters.
“This is Labour MPs’ first opportunity to put the country before their Party, and vote with us to stop vulnerable pensioners choosing between heating and eating this winter.”
ENDS
For more information contact caroline.dinenage.mp@parliament.uk