London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Labour MP Rosie Duffield states ditching the winter fuel payment for all pensioners in England and Wales is a “brutal” action, which, she worries, could lead to people dying.
The government reported in July plans to scrap winter fuel payments of up to £300 for pensioners in England and Wales unless they acquire means-tested benefits. Up to 10 million people are at stake of losing the payment, which was presented by the Labour government in 1997. MPs are due to vote on the plan. Some Labour MPs have inscribed an early-day motion asking for the change to be reviewed. The motion was presented by Neil Duncan-Jordan, the recently elected Labour MP for Poole, who formerly worked for the National Pensioners Convention.
Why Does Rosie Duffield Criticize the Winter Fuel Payment Cut?
Duffield became the latest Labour MP to express concerns about the intended cut. Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme, Duffield expressed that despite the state pension being raised above inflation and an addition in the household support fund, many pensioners would fall through the safety net.
“I’ve had letters, I think we all have, from people who are mourning from ongoing illness like cancer, and their doctors are advising them how important it is to keep warm.” Human health is our job to watch and we know that these people are going to feel [the] cold.”
Duffield will not vote against the new step, however, stating she will abstain: “I think the government have made it very obvious to MPs how they’re going to act towards us if we do vote against, which makes for a very challenging choice. The prime minister has expressed very often, country before party, and in my case here, it’s very definitely, constituents before party.
“My job is to represent my constituents, not to sort of just suck up if you like, to the leadership. And you know, I think it’s very necessary for those who have been there before to make a point because possibly the newer or younger MPs don’t feel quite so secure doing that at this stage of their career.”
What Does the Office for National Statistics Say About Home Heating Issues?
Last winter, nearly 1 million people in England and Wales lived in homes constrained by central heating; one in 10 of those were aged and ill. The Office for National Statistics study based on the 2021 census indicates that 699,500 people live in a home without central heating in England.