Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, Burntwood, and the Villages, posted to X today to try and explain why he voted to axe the Winter Fuel Allowance for all but the poorest of pensioners.
Mr Robertson posted:
Today I voted in favour of means-testing the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners.
In recent days and weeks, dozens of constituents on both sides of this issue have contacted me.
Please see this statement below explaining why I voted in line with the Government
Mr Robertson's letter in full:
10th September 2024
CHANGES TO THE WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE
Today, I voted with the Government to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance. As the Chancellor explained, this was not a decision that I or anyone in the Labour Party wanted to or expected to make, but it was the right decision to get our country's finances on a firmer footing.
I did so for the following reasons:
1) The Labour party is and always will be committed to protecting the most vulnerable. That is why we have committed to signing up the 880,000 poorest pensioners to Pension Credit, worth approximately £3,900 a year. If you are questioning whether you're entitled, please get in touch.
2) Under the last Labor government pensioner poverty reduced dramatically. Under this government I am confident we will reduce the impacts of poverty for the most vulnerable, that's why we are committed to maintaining the Triple Lock on pensions, worth an increase of £905 this year alone.
3) The Warm Homes Plan, in conjunction with Great British Energy, will lower energy bills by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign energy to bring down British bills making everyone, including pensioners, better off.
4) The Conservative government left the country in a state of economic turmoil. £22bn of unfunded spending commitments, that the Office for Budget Responsibility were not aware of, have forced the government to make tough decisions to provide stability for the country. Ignoring this would risk repeating past government mistakes that would threaten the foundations of our economy.
I understand that the decision to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance will have repercussions for some pensioners who will be struggling. I will be hosting sessions over the coming weeks, to ensure that pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit are claiming everything they are entitled to. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please get in touch on dave.robertson.mp@parliament.uk
Yours sincerely,
Dave Robertson
MP for Lichfield, Burntwood, and the Villages
https://twitter.com/DaveR_Lichfield/status/1833547190590988325
