Mark Sewards, Member of Parliament for Leeds South West & Morley, 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 Sewards posted: "My statement on the introduction of means testing for the Winter Fuel Allowance and why I’ve voted to support the government today."
Mr Sewards' letter in full:
Dear Constituents,
Today, I voted to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance. I never anticipated I would have to make such a decision so early into my tenure as your Member of Parliament for Leeds South West & Morley.
The fact that hundreds of my colleagues have made this decision is testament to just how difficult governing in the wake of 14 years of Conservative economic chaos will be. Economic stability must form the foundation of everything we do.
I was elected on a manifesto which stated, as our first commitment, that we will never play fast and loose with the public finances. We will ensure the books are balanced and we will create the conditions necessary to grow the economy and raise living standards for everyone, including pensioners
The economic foundations which this Government have inherited are much more severely damaged than anyone outside of the previous administration anticipated. The previous Conservative government hid huge amounts of overspending from everyone, including the independent Office for Budget Responsibility who are now investigating. This has left a £22bn hole in the country's finances that must be immediately accounted for. In order to foster economic stability and generate growth to raise living standards, we cannot shy away from plugging this gap. We are being honest about the inheritance we face and how difficult it will be to balance the hooks
I also need to address some of the misinformation around these changes that have become widespread across all forms of media.
Firstly, pensioners in receipt of pension credit will still receive winter fuel payments in full. Greater take-up of pension credit is now essential to ensure we target this support at those who are most in need. I will do everything I can in my capacity as a local MP to ensure that all of my constituents that are eligible for pension credit are signed up and are receiving the support they need and deserve.
Secondly, energy bills are lower this year than they were last year. The energy price cap will be €117 lower at the end of 2024 than it was in 2023. Rather than being honest about this, some are instead pointing at the planned rise on 1 October, missing that the cap is currently £266 lower than it was last Autumn. Those that are wilfully ignoring this price fall is scaremongering, and isn't helping people worried about their bills.
Thirdly, Labour are committed to the triple-lock on the state pension, which increased the state pension by £900 in April, a rise of 8.5% (in line with carings, which had a bumper year). If pensions had risen in line with prices they would only have grown by around £700. Due to the triple-lock, the state pensions is also likely to increase by another £400 in April and around £1,700 over the course of this Parliament.
In addition, for those who are struggling, Labour has also extended the household support fund for six months, a vital lifeline administered by local councils.
I would not have voted for this measure if it were not necessary to balance the books or if the Government were leaving the most vulnerable pensioners in our communities without the support they desperately need this winter.
My mission is to ensure that every pensioner receives the correct level of support in paying for their energy bills. I will also continue making representations to the Chancellor to advocate for any pensioner that falls just above the current threshold for pension credit and may struggle receive the support they deserve. I would strongly urge any pensioners who cannot pay their energy bills to contact my office via this email or by landline once we've opened our office in October.
If you, or anyone you know, are in need of support with your energy bills, pension, or wishes to apply or check their eligibility for pension credit, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I remain committed to meeting my responsibility to ensure everyone, including older people, can live decent lives across Leeds South West & Morley.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Sewards
Mark Sewards MP
Member of Parliament for Leeds South West & Morley
https://twitter.com/MarkJSewards/status/1833523885800886725
