MPs voted 348 to 228, a majority of 120, against a Tory motion to cancel the plans. One Labour MP – Jon Trickett – backed the Conservative motion. 53 Labour MPs, including seven ministers, had no vote recorded, meaning they either abstained or missed the vote.
The changes will see around 10 million pensioners lose out on up to £300 this winter as a result of the benefit being means tested. Previously, all pensioners received the benefit regardless of their income or wealth.
It is understood that a dozen of those who had no vote recorded were not authorised to be absent. Fifteen of the Labour MPs who signed a motion which called on the government to delay implementing the cut were among those on the list.
Starmer has defended the move as one of the necessary "tough decisions" his government has had to make since coming to power in July, claiming the previous Tory leadership left behind a "£22bn black hole" in the public finances.
However, shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride argued the government was "rushing through" the policy with "no explanation as to why no impact assessments were provided", while Liberal Democrat Wendy Chamberlain said there is "there is cruelty at the heart of this cut," particularly as energy bills will be higher than a few years ago.
Other MPs questioned how much money the reform would even save if Labour is successful in getting more pensioners to sign up for pension credit, which would make them eligible for fuel payments.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted pensioners will be £1,700 better off by 2029 under expected increases to the full state pension. It was confirmed on Tuesday that next year's rise will be £460 a year.
But the government has been accused of "declaring war on pensioners" with the policy, with one MP warning that some are considering riding on buses to keep warm this winter as a result.
Key points:
MPs voted by a majority of 120 to make the winter fuel allowance means-tested, which was met by shouts of "shame" in the Commons
Keir Starmer faced a rebellion from his own party, with 53 Labour MPs, including seven ministers having no vote recorded
Labour MP Jon Trickett said he will "sleep well tonight" after voting for a Conservative motion to cancel the plans
Conservative MP Esther McVey said the reform was being passed at "breathtaking" speed and accused the government of declaring "war on pensioners"
Labour's Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury committee, said the government had to make "tough choices", as the Treasury is in a "worse" financial situation than people thought
Our live coverage has now ended, but you can see our previous updates, insights and reaction below from today's events in the Commons. For the latest news, visit the Yahoo UK Homepage.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER54 updates
Harriet Sinclair
How many Labour MPs abstained from vote?
A dozen Labour MPs abstained from the vote on cuts to the winter fuel payment.
Of the 52 Labour MPs, including seven ministers, who had no vote recorded, only a dozen were not authorised to be absent, PA understands.
Harriet Sinclair
Starmer feels fuel cut is necessary, spokesperson says
Keir Starmer welcomes the progress of his policy to cut the winter fuel allowance after he saw off a backbench rebellion over the plans, the prime minister’s spokeswoman said.
She told journalists: “The prime minister has been clear about the importance of this policy, and while it is not something that he or the chancellor wanted to do, it is necessary as part of our efforts to balance the books and address the £22 billion black hole.
“The government was elected on a mandate to restore financial stability and fix the foundations of the country – that is vital before you can grow the economy. And so this policy is in line with that, and he welcomes the progress that’s made.”
Harriet Sinclair
'What's next for means testing? The NHS?' - Corbyn hits out after winter fuel vote
Jeremy Corbyn questions which cuts will be coming next after winter fuel vote.
I voted against cuts to winter fuel payments.
Politics is about choices, and the government has chosen to push pensioners into poverty.
What’s next for means testing? The NHS?
I will always defend the principle of universalism. That is how we build a fairer society for all.
Starmer sees off backbench rebellion in winter fuel allowance vote
Sir Keir Starmer has seen off a backbench rebellion over plans to cut the winter fuel allowance but the Government’s majority fell to 120.
MPs voted 348 to 228 against the Tory motion for the controversial policy to be blocked.
A list of how MPs voted will be available shortly, though it will not be immediately clear how many actively chose to abstain as it will only show who voted in favour, against and who did not record a vote.
For example, some may not record a vote because they were unable to attend due to other commitments.
Stride slams Labour over lack of impact assessment on fuel allowance cuts
Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride has criticised the government for not producing an impact assessment on the cuts to winter fuel allowance.
He told the Commons: “We have had no explanation as to why no impact assessments were provided. This is a major policy change which will remove entitlement for up to 10 million pensioners, including many who are already in poverty.
“It is a cut worth seven and a half billion over the course of this Parliament, rushing such a policy through without taking time to consider impacts, or ensure effective and fair implementation and allow possible scrutiny, is impossible to justify.”
He added: “The reality is the government want to rush this through so they can blame it on their predecessor, as I said, to avoid proper scrutiny,
“There is no need whatsoever for the haste with which this is being done, other than to meet the political ends of the Labour Party. They are ripping the plaster off and hoping the country will have forgotten by the time of the next general election, that is at the heart of it.
“But we will not forget. We would not have been given the opportunity to debate and vote on this measure without significant pressure from both the opposition and the wider public. This has nothing to do with fiscal responsibility and everything to do with political expediency. No scrutiny, no impact assessment, no notice. This is an appalling way to govern.”
Harriet Sinclair
Labour MP says he 'will sleep well tonight' after voting with opposition
Labour MP Jon Trickett confirmed that he voted against the party’s proposed removal of the winter fuel payment for some pensioners.
Trickett, who was a shadow cabinet member during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership said he feared the measure would cause more pensioners to fall into poverty during the winter.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “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.”
Shouts of “shame” could be heard in the House of Commons chamber as the result of the vote was announced.
Harriet Sinclair
MPs vote to cut winter fuel payments
MPs have voted in favour of cuts to the winter fuel allowance.
The Conservative motion to annul the Government’s cuts to winter fuel payments was defeated by 348 votes to 228, majority 120, in the House of Commons.
The payment will become a means-tested benefit rather than a universal benefit for pensioners.
Around 10 million pensioners are estimated to be losing out on the benefit as a result of the cut.
Harriet Sinclair
Vote on winter fuel payment is underway
MPs are now voting on the winter fuel payment
Harriet Sinclair
Liz Kendall says pensioners deserve better than 'faux outrage' of Tories
Liz Kendall hit out at the Tories for their 'faux outrage'. (Parliament)
Liz Kendall said pensioners deserved better than the "faux outrage" of Conservative MPs, and pledged that the Labour Party would get the country back on track.
Harriet Sinclair
Liz Kendall says pensioners' income will go up
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said commitment to the pension triple lock would see pensioners' income increase.
She said pensions would increase by "an extra £460" next April.
MP says he will vote with opposition so he can 'look constituents in the face'
In a passionate speech, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell - who was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party for voting against them on the King's Speech - confirmed he would be voting with the opposition over the winter fuel payment so he could “look my constituents in the face”.
"The heaviest burden isn't being placed on those with the heaviest shoulders, it's being placed on the poorest," he said.
"It certainly flies against everything I believe in as a labor MP about tackling inequality and poverty within our society. I was not elected to impoverish my constituents," he added.
Harriet Sinclair
Saqib Bhatti says government using pensioners as a 'political tool'
Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti repeatedly refused to give way during his comments, as he accused the Labour government of using pensioners as a political tool.
Harriet Sinclair
Martin Lewis says Labour MPs have asked him to try to change chancellor's mind on fuel payments
Martin Lewis says he has been asked to try to change the chancellorr's mind on winter fuel payments.
“Many new Labour MPs are totally torn…they have their buttocks clenched about supporting this policy.”@MartinSLewis says Labour MPs have asked him to try and change the chancellor’s mind on winter fuel cuts.
Government issuing 'a punishing beating' against pensioners with winter fuel cut
Father of the House Sir Edward Leigh, a Conservative former minister, accused the government of issuing a “punishment beating” against pensioners by cutting the winter fuel payment.
Leigh said there should be a “serious debate” about the total package given to pensioners, noting he has previously questioned aspects of the triple lock.
He told the Commons: “It’s a very difficult debate but I do understand that the total package paid to pensioners as a proportion of gross national product must not keep increasing every year because that is the way ultimately to bankrupt the country, and we need to have a social contract between older people, like myself, and younger people, particularly in terms of housebuilding.”
Leigh raised concerns for people who receive a small occupational pension but are not eligible for pension credit, saying they are “looking after every penny” but will suddenly lose the winter fuel payment.
He added: “I tell you what this is all about, this is about a punishment beating.”
Leigh described the “so-called £22 billion black hole” as a “mere accounting device”, adding: “What the Labour government is now trying to do is to make the political point that the Conservative Party ran the country into the ground and therefore we’ve got to punish the pensioners. It’s absolute and complete rubbish.”
Harriet Sinclair
McVey says Labour 'has declared war on pensioners'
Esther McVey said the policy was being brought in with "unnecessary haste". (Parliament)
Conservative MP Esther McVey accused Keir Starmer of being "out of touch" over winter fuel payments, and said the speed at which the cut was being introduced was "breathtaking".
"This government has been telling pensioners they didn't want to do this but tough financial decisions have to be made, but that is poppycock," she said.
She added that "money was no object" over train drivers' pay.
"Labour has basically declared war on pensioners which will neither be forgotten nor forgiven," she said.
Harriet Sinclair
'There is cruelty at the heart of this cut,' says Lib Dem MP
Wendy Chamberlain confirmed she would be voting with the opposition against the government's planned cut. (Parliament)
Liberal Democrat Wendy Chamberlain confirmed she and other members of the party would be voting alongside the opposition against the government's plans.
"There is cruelty at the heart of this cut," she said, arguing that pensioners were facing a "double cut" this winter and that energy bills were higher than they were a few years ago.
Harriet Sinclair
Public finances 'a lot worse' than people think, Labour MP says
Labour MP Meg Hillier said the financial situation was "worse" than people thought.
“The decision we are asked to make today is a difficult one, but sadly, it is not going to be the only difficult decision that faces this Labour government," she said.
"Before the last general election I had the privilege of having chaired the public accounts committee for this house for the last nine years.
"And in that role, I saw all of the impacts on the public finances current, past and future… You think it’s that bad, I know it’s a lot worse."
Harriet Sinclair
Labour MP says tough choices had to be made to tackle budget 'black hole'
Labour MP Meg Hillier said the government had to make tough choices to fix the way things were left by the Tories. (Parliament)
Labour's Meg Hillier, who has just been re-elected as chair of the Treasury committee, said she would be voting alongside the government on winter fuel payments.
She said tough choices had to be made to tackle the £22bn 'black hole' in the budget left by the last Conservative government.
Harriet Sinclair
Government's plan will see them spend more money, Mel Stride claims
Mel Stride suggested the government's plans will cost more than the money they are saving.
"The 880,000 pensioners who we know who are eligible for Pension Credit but are not yet receiving it will also suffer, and the party opposite may say they are going to have these wonderful campaigns that’s going to get everyone whose entitled onto Pension Credit," he said. "Even if they did that, that would see a cost to the Exchequer of £3.8 billion, which is over twice the money they say they are going to be saving.
"This is an absurd policy which their own plans are actually actively working against. And the haste at which this has been carried out is simply jaw dropping. We do not have any impact assessments. We do not know what the impact will be across the income distribution. Every member of this house does not know what the impact will be within their own constituency."
Harriet Sinclair
Stride accuses Labour of 'broken promises already'
Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride accused the Labour government of "broken promises" over the winter fuel payment.
He told the Commons: "What happened to integrity? What happened to transparency? It went out of the window. Broken promises already.
"What is the impact of these measures? What we do know is nine out of 10 pensioners will lose the winter fuel allowance – up to £300 at the most difficult time of year for millions of them, at a time when the energy guarantee – the price cap – is going up by 10%.
"And a suggestion from the members opposite that somehow this is just the wealthy who are affected – the millionaires – far from it. Two thirds of those pensioners who are living below the poverty line will have this benefit removed."
Other opposition members muttered "shocking" as Stride made his comments.
Harriet Sinclair
Winter fuel payment debate begins
Mel Stride criticised the government's plan to cut winter fuel payments. (Parliament)
Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride began the debate on the winter fuel allowance, criticising the Labour government for pledging not to make cuts ahead of the general election, before announcing the cut to the winter fuel payment.
Harriet Sinclair
State pension to rise by £8.85 a week
Millions of retirees are set to receive a 4pc increase in their state pension, worth £460, a year from April.
However, experts have warned that many pensioners won’t feel the impact of the triple lock increase as means-testing winter fuel payments will deprive millions of up to £300, leaving them with just £160 more.
'No plans' to widen winter fuel eligibility, Downing Street says
There are no plans to widen the eligibility to the winter fuel payment, Downing Street has said.
“There’s no such plans,” a Number 10 spokeswoman said when asked by journalists on Tuesday.
Asked whether encouraging people who are eligible but not yet signed up for pension credit could wipe out the savings from restricting the allowance to the country’s poorest pensioners, she said: “The issue is that this policy has not been targeted previously… in line with that as well, it is right that anyone eligible for income-related benefits or pension credit is receiving it, and that’s why we’re making efforts to ensure that those who are eligible are converted on to it.”
Downing Street would not say whether Keir Starmer had spoken to MPs ahead of Tuesday’s vote as it does not comment on “MP engagement”.
Harriet Sinclair
Winter Fuel Payment cut decision imminent as some experts say scrap it
Ahead of the vote on Winter Fuel Payment changes, some finance experts are uncertain as to what the outcome might be as they explained how each result could affect household finances across the country. Jason Cannon, benefits consulting director at Gallagher, sees two potential avenues arising - extra benefits or an extended deadline.
He explained: “Given that a cut to the winter fuel payment could impact the finances of millions of pensioners, the government should aim to prioritise extra financial support for retirees in the upcoming budget. Alternatively, the government may choose to delay the decision so any potential cut can be folded into a wider spending review in the forthcoming Spring.”
'Plenty of wealthy pensioners' don't need fuel payout, minister says
Pound coins and bank notes.
There are “plenty of very wealthy pensioners” who do not need the winter fuel payment, according to a work and pensions minister.
Emma Reynolds said the government was taking the decision to means-test the payment due to a “£22 billion black hole” in this year’s public finances “left by the previous government”.
She told a Westminster Hall debate: “In protecting the poorest pensioners on the lowest incomes and with the greatest need, it is the right decision given the tough choices that we face.
“Just to be very, very clear, I have spoken to a number of (MPs) present about the government’s decision and there actually is fairly widespread agreement that this benefit should not be universal.
“There are plenty of very wealthy pensioners who are getting transfers of £200, or £300 if they’re over 80, into their bank account and who don’t need it, so it’s right that we target this support on the poorest pensioners.”
Reynolds highlighted mitigation measures introduced by the government, including extending the Household Support Fund, and said it was a “national scandal” that the previous Conservative government had not done more to increase uptake of pension credit.
Harriet Sinclair
MPs warn fuel policy will have humanitarian cost
Labour MPs have questioned the economic case for government cuts to the winter fuel payment, warning the policy will also have a “humanitarian cost”.
Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, said a Labour government “must always protect the poorest in our society” before questioning the likely savings of the policy to limit the winter fuel payment to only those people claiming Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.
Labour MP Andy McDonald, intervening on Maskell, told a Westminster Hall debate: “The winter fuel payment regulations amendment will take up to £300 per household from two groups of low-income pensioners – those eligible for Pension Credit who do not claim it and those who are just over the pension cliff edge but still living on very little.
“As I understand it, the Pension Credit take-up is around 63% and this will at best be 68% and the saving to the public purse is predicated on that basis, but the savings will be wiped out if everyone eligible took up the Pension Credit, which surely should be the goal.
“Does she agree with me that this simply doesn’t stack up?”
Maskell replied: “I think (Mr McDonald) has done the maths and I think it speaks for itself. The chancellor cannot therefore make this just an economic argument as there is also a humanitarian cost too, and we need to have the capacity to find that escape route, as (former Treasury minister) Ed Balls stated, as people need a safety net.”
Prime minister Keir Starmer speaking at the TUC congress at the Brighton Centre in Brighton. (Getty Images)
Keir Starmer warned that if Labour does not take action to fill a £22 billion black hole the “cheque” for the Tory performance in government will “bounce”.
The Prime minister told the TUC Congress in Brighton of the previous government: “Politics reduced to an expensive, divisive, noisy performance, a game to be played, not the force that can fundamentally change the lives of those we represent.
“And congress – the bill for this performance is now in, and I’m afraid if we don’t take action – it’s a cheque that will bounce.”
Harriet Sinclair
DWP issues warning to pensioners over potential £11,300 payout as claims DOUBLE
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has raised an alert following a surge in interest for £11,300 payouts. The DWP has provided an important update regarding Pension Credit applications after witnessing a flood of claims for the benefit that acts as a gateway to additional support.
This year, Pension Credit not only offers free BBC TV licences and council tax reductions but also enables claimants to apply for the £300 Winter Fuel Payment. The appetite for the benefit has soared following the government's move to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment.
Cabinet member argues taxes 'already high on working people' over winter fuel payments
Jonathan Reynolds said working people already pay high taxes. (Getty Images)
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said taxes are “already high on working people” when asked why the Labour government would not target the wealthy instead of cutting the winter fuel payment.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have a Budget coming up but we’ve made clear that taxes which we’ve inherited are already high on working people.”
MPs showed “strong support” for Rachel Reeves’ plan to scale back winter fuel payments during a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, a spokesperson for the Chancellor said.
The Chancellor said she understood the concerns and then “set out the rationale behind the decision and there was strong support,” the spokesperson said.
Asked if there were plans for any further measures to mitigate the impact of the cuts, the spokesperson pointed to the extension of the Household Support Fund by six months and the commitment to the pensions triple lock.
He said: “The vote is happening tomorrow, that will mean the winter fuel change will happen tomorrow. There are no plans for any further mitigations.”
Asked if there could be some in the budget, he said: “All budget decisions are taken, but there’s no plans for further mitigations relating to this.”
Harriet Sinclair
Labour 'did not expect a fuss on this scale'
Labour 'did not expect a fuss on this scale' over winter fuel payments, says Sky's Sam Coates.
"They did not expect a fuss on this scale"@SamCoatesSky and @Jack_Blanchard_ discuss Keir Starmer’s first big test as MPs vote on winter fuel allowance changes.
Fresh political analysis from Sky News and Politico, weekdays from 7:30am ➡️ https://t.co/QTOO6vpTND
A campaign to increase the number of people claiming pension credit is being launched by the government after announcing that winter fuel payments will be restricted to those “most in need”.
About 10 million pensioners are expected to lose out on winter fuel payments as a result of the policy, which is part of the government's plan to tackle a £22bn “black hole” in public finances.
Not fair to call Reeves the Grinch, Cabinet minister says
It is not “fair” to suggest Chancellor Rachel Reeves is behaving like the “Grinch” over the cut to the winter fuel allowance, a Cabinet minister said.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds was asked about remarks made by RMT general secretary Mick Lynch at the TUC Congress, where he said that Labour would be likened to the Grinch – a term used against him during a strike by railway workers last year – over the policy.
“I don’t think that that is fair in any way,” he told LBC.
“What we have been able to do is first of all be serious about decisions that the previous government has sat on… it’s nothing like the kind of austerity that we saw under George Osborne.
“It is a recognition that where the previous government has made commitments that it can’t honour, you’ve got to be responsible within there.”
Harriet Sinclair
Why pensioners are doomed to be poorer under Labour
Will pensioners be worse off under Labour? (Getty)
Millions of retirees will be handed a £460 pay rise in April, thanks to the state pension “triple lock”.
Labour will be keen to frame the boost as a big win for pensioners, one that will more than make up for its decision to deny millions of elderly people their winter fuel payments, worth up to £300 a year.
However, scrapping the benefit could be the tip of the iceberg as the screws tighten on retirees over the course of the next Parliament.
Full list of energy bill support available ahead of October price rise
Ofgem has confirmed that annual household energy bills are set to soar by £149 on average in the coming months. From October 1, the energy price cap will jump from £1,568 to £1,717.
It's important to note that the price cap doesn't put a ceiling on the total bill households pay. Instead, it sets the rate for each unit of gas and electricity consumed.
Labour ‘picking pensioners’ pockets’, says union chief ahead of winter fuel vote
Labour has decided to “pick the pocket of pensioners” while leaving the richest “totally untouched”, the head of the UK’s largest trade union has said as pressure mounts for the Government to U-turn on means testing winter fuel payments.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of the UNITE trade union, has encouraged the prime minister to U-turn on the policy. (Getty Images)
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, urged Sir Keir Starmer to “do a U-turn” on the policy, which would see winter fuel payments restricted to only the poorest pensioners.
State pensioners left £5,000 short of minimum living standard
State pension payments will leave retirees over £5,000 short of meeting their basic needs – even after an expected pay rise in April, analysis shows.
A single pensioner living alone would need an income of £17,200 a year to achieve a “minimum” standard of living, according to a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation think tank.
The “full” state pension is currently £11,502 a year for anyone who retired after 2016. The “triple lock” ensures that payments rise each year by the highest of inflation, wage growth or 2.5pc.
Martin Lewis warns state pensioners will be £500 worse off
Martin Lewis. (ITV screengrab)
Martin Lewis has issued a warning over the reported Triple Lock hike. The BBC and ITV star spoke out as the latest UK labour market statistics, just released, show that total pay - including bonuses - rose by 4% between May and July.
The triple lock was first introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government in 2010.
Referencing the £460 uplift, Mr Lewis said: "That starts next April. This winter most pensioners are facing (looking at energy bills alone) a typical £500 higher cost compared to last (energy bills are £100ish cheaper, but no £300 cost of living payment, no £300 winter fuel payment)."
How Winter Fuel Payments are changing – and what other support is available to pensioners?
The price of gas is expected to rise this winter. (Getty)
Winter Fuel Payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as Labour pushes on with its plan to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit.
The Labour government has been urged to review its decision affecting 10 million pensioners after the regulator Ofgem announced household energy bills will rise by £150 in October.
As the government plans to scrap winter fuel allowance to the outrage of campaigners, Yahoo News looks at how UK pensioners' wealth has changed over the years.
While pensioners, on the whole, are generally better off than their predecessors, recent figures show pensioner poverty rates have been on the rise for the past decade, with a growing number relying on food banks for support.
MP says he has been emailed by hundreds of 'scared constituents'
An independent MP has said he has been emailed by hundreds of "scared constituents" about winter fuel payments.
Ian Byrne said the changes will "harm so many pensioners just above the pension credit threshold".
Byrne posted a copy of a letter he has written to the Chancellor on X, including samples of hundreds of emails he had received about the issue.
Bryne was one of the seven Labour MPs who had the whip withdrawn for voting against the government in July.
Winter Fuel Payment changes will harm so many pensioners just above the pension credit threshold, forcing them to heat or eat this winter. After being inundated by messages from scared constituents, I have written to the Chancellor, including samples of 100s of emails received. pic.twitter.com/czKfmTdICm
A rebel Labour MP has warned that pensioners will die if the government goes ahead with its plan to means test the winter fuel payment.
Leeds East MP Richard Burgon, who was one of seven Labour MPs who had the whip suspended in July after voting against the government on the two-child benefit cap, appeared on LBC on Monday night.
He told presenter Andrew Marr: “If this goes through without movement from the government, I’m afraid that constituents in my constituency, and others will die as a result.”
Watch the video below
I'm very afraid that people in my constituency will die if this cut to Winter Fuel Allowance goes ahead, as I explained to @AndrewMarr9 on @LBC tonight. pic.twitter.com/l0PD00csMV
David Cameron has criticised the government’s “misguided attack” on winter fuel payments and argued it should rethink to save “the shame and embarrassment”.
The Conservative peer, one of the architects of austerity in the 2010s alongside George Osborne, suggested the eligibility criteria for receiving the allowance should be raised using the tax system to exclude more wealthy pensioners.
Watch the video below.
As @RishiSunak explained last week, Labour’s scrapping of the universal winter fuel payment is a choice. The PM has made the wrong choice, especially when there are reasonable alternatives, as I set out in the House of Lords today. 👇 pic.twitter.com/gcBl5NsGyE
Why is Labour’s proposed winter fuel payments cut controversial?
The decision to axe winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners has become the Labour government’s first political crisis. So what is it about?
What is the benefit, and how is it changing?
Introduced in 1997 by the then-chancellor, Gordon Brown, the winter fuel payment was intended to help older people with their heating costs during the colder months. Paid annually in autumn, it is £200 or £300, depending on age, and had always been universal – paid to everyone, irrespective of income or wealth.
The full state pension is set to rise by £460 from next April, according to official wage figures released on Tuesday.
While this is the lowest increase for nearly four years, it will mean pensioners can expect to see their full, flat-rate state pension go up to £11,962.60 a year from next April – a rise of £460.
However, one expert cautioned the rise will only partially offset the pain for the millions of pensioners who are being stripped of their winter fuel allowance.
Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “There’s every chance it’s not enough to placate those pensioners still reeling from the loss of the winter fuel payments, especially given how close this is edging to busting the personal allowance.”
London MPs including Diane Abbott have joined Commons moves challenging axing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
Ms Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, and Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, have signed an Early Day Motion highlighting concerns over Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to restrict the special fuel payment for pensioners to just those receiving pension credit.
The EDM is also backed by John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, and Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse.
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