Millions of pensioners across the country will feel the effects this winter as the government wins votes on the cut.
The cut to the Winter Fuel Payments will see those who claim pension credit or other means-tested benefits be the only ones to receive help with their fuel bills.
With the previous allowance being to anyone over the age of sixty-six.
Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey did not vote, as she released a statement on X (Twitter) on her decision that stated: “8,400 people in my constituency are set to be affected by these cuts, whilst 1,800 older people are already missing out on the Pension Credit they are entitled to.”
However, throughout her statement, she continued to urge people to claim Pension Credit if they are eligible to preserve the entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment.
She went on to add: “I could not in all conscience vote to support the proposals to means test Winter Fuel Payments as they stand and so did not vote in favour of them.”
The Salford MP went onto add in her statement that she has “urged the Government to pause, work collaboratively with colleagues to reconsider these plans in time for the Budget. and provide the support so many pensioners needed.”
Rebecca Long-Bailey who is currently serving a six-month suspension after challenging her own party on a vote about the two-child benefit cap in July continued to add that she was “gravely concerned” about the cuts.
As she stated: “I am gravely concerned about introducing means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment so quickly, at a time when energy bills are due to increase significantly.
“And with no mitigations to support the most vulnerable pensioners.”
With the rest of Rebecca Long-Bailey’s statement being able to be found on X here.
The decision by the government will mean that millions of pensioners across the country will miss out on the up to £300-a-year payment that helps during the winter months.
With Sky News stating that the move will see a financial reduction ‘saving the exchequer around £1.4 billion this year.’
However, the financial savings it looks to be a challenging winter for many across the country following the governments decision.
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