Labour's Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones once opposed pensioners being stripped of their Winter Fuel Payment

July 30th, 2024

Just eight months ago Labour's Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, wrote to Jeremy Hunt demanding answers to speculation that the Tories were considering cutting the Winter Fuel Payment allowance to pensioners.

Within weeks of winning the general election Chancellor Rachel Reeves has slashed Winter Fuel Payments for up to 2 million pensioners. Age UK have called this move "a social injustice".


Here is Darren Jones' letter to Jeremy Hunt in full


Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP

Chancellor of the Exchequer

1 Horse Guards Rd

London SW1A 2HQ

20 November 2023


Dear Chancellor,

The Paymaster General has suggested that some pensioners should be stripped of their Winter Fuel Payment.

Pensioners will be deeply concerned about such speculation, especially ahead of winter, and anxious that their incomes may be under threat from this government.

Pensioners are already having to contend with dramatic increases to the cost of living, particularly when it comes to their energy bills. The price of gas has risen by 60% over the past two years, while the price of electricity has risen by 40%.

This latest intervention comes on top of previous speculation about the government's approach to the triple lock, including a statement from one of your own economic advisers and Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bicester and Woodstock Rupert Harrison, who said in September that "it's time for an independent review" of the triple lock.

Pensioners will be anxious about this news ahead of the autumn statement. The Paymaster General was, until recently, involved in drawing it up, in his previous role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

I am therefore writing to ask you to:

• Clarify whether this is the view of the Prime Minister;

• Clarify whether this is the view of HM Treasury;

• Clarify what discussions have been held regarding the future of the Winter Fuel Payment;

Explain which groups of pensioners the Paymaster General does not think should receive the Winter Fuel Payment; and

• Confirm whether the government is considering any other changes to pensioners' incomes, and whether the government remains committed to the triple lock on the state pension.

Given this is a matter of public interest, I will be releasing this letter to the press.

Yours sincerely,

Darren Jones MP

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Member of Parliament for Bristol North West

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