Winter fuel payment axe to go ahead after more than 50 Labour MPs fail to back Starmer’s plan

10 September 2024, 15:23 | Updated: 10 September 2024, 17:01

Millions of pensioners will lose winter fuel payments after the government won a Commons vote.

A Conservative motion to annul the government's cuts to winter fuel payments was defeated by 348 votes to 228 - with a majority of 120.

Shouts of "shame" could be heard in the House of Commons chamber as the result of the vote was announced.

The controversial move will see 10 million people stripped of their fuel allowance this winter.

Labour had previously said they would not hold a vote on the decision but u-turned after facing a backlash.

Read more: Keir Starmer defends scrapping winter fuel payments - as he warns autumn Budget will be 'painful'

Read more: Pensioners will have to answer 22 pages of questions to claim winter fuel payments

Fifty three Labour MPs did not have a vote recorded, including Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty, Defence minister Maria Eagle and Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson.

One member of the party - Jon Trickett - voted with the Conservatives.

In a statement posted on X, he said: "This winter will be extremely difficult for my constituents of all ages. After years of obscene profiteering by energy companies, they are hiking bills once again.

"I fear that removing the payment from pensioners will mean that many more will fall into poverty this winter. We know that the consequences of pensioner poverty are devastating.

"It can even be a matter of life and death. I have worked behind the scenes to try and change the Government's position, but to no avail.

"Our country is richer than it's ever been, but the wealth is not shared fairly. In my view the Government should be looking to raise revenues from the wealthiest in society, not working class pensioners.

"I could not in good conscience vote to make my constituents poorer. I will sleep well tonight know that I voted to defend my constituents."

'Millionaire pensioners, look at this in context', says Trevor Phillips on cutting winter fuel tax

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the universal payment would come to an end when she laid out measures to tackle a £22 billion "black hole" in the public finances.

There has been growing unrest in Labour ranks about the move's impact on pensioners just above the poverty line who will not be eligible for the payment under the new criteria.

It was revealed pensioners will be forced to answer 243 questions over 22 pages in order to claim the payments.

They will be asked questions such as "Does you partner agree to your application?" and "Is your partner in hospital as an inpatient?" on the form.

Mick Whelan believes the winter fuel allowance should be reinstalled universally

Emi Murphy, warm homes campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “It’s not surprising, but it is disappointing that MPs didn’t block the government’s plans to scrap the winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners, just a month before energy bills shoot up again and with the colder months inching closer.

"Earlier this year, our research with the Institute of Health Equity revealed the enormous health impacts and economic burden caused by the lack of action to upgrade the nation’s homes - the latter including avoidable NHS costs.

"Cutting the winter fuel allowance for those that need it could add yet more pressure to our overstretched health service.

“Besides the urgency with which the government must publish its promised Warm Homes Plan for insulating homes, which will ensure they are warm and cheap to heat, there remains a pressing need for financial support for all low-income households facing another winter of deeply unaffordable energy bills - not just pensioners."

This story is being updated

Nick Ferrari questions Labour MP on the £22bn 'black hole'