Lib Dem MPs vote against Winter Fuel Allowance cut

Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, and Victoria Collins, MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, have today voted against the Government’s planned cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

It comes as a new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the staggering effects of the cut to the winter fuel allowance this winter. This poll showed that three in four (75%) of pensioners expect to be affected by this planned cut to winter fuel allowance payments.

Staggeringly, more than half (55%) of UK pensioners polled said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter, while 4 in 10 will look to cut back on other ‘essentials’. 1 in 5 (19%) pensioners are planning to eat less this winter due to the cut.

Locally, the analysis shows an estimated 14,127 pensioners in St Albans, and 17,265 in Harpenden and Berkhamsted, are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

Furthermore, research from the charity Age UK shows the proposed cut to Winter Fuel Payments will mean two million people across England and Wales will struggle to pay their energy bills as a result.

Liberal Democrats initially called for a vote on this cut by tabling a motion, and Daisy Cooper MP wrote directly to the Leader of the House of Commons to demand that the government allow a debate and a vote on the changes in Parliament. When this vote occurred today, Liberal Democrat MPs took this opportunity to oppose the Labour Government. 

Victoria Collins MP also spoke out against this cut in a Westminster Hall debate earlier today (Tuesday 10th September), highlighting the hardship already faced by local pensioners with skyrocketing energy bills, which will be compounded if this change goes ahead.

Commenting on the vote, Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans, Daisy Cooper, said:

“Liberal Democrats have today voted against the Labour Government’s proposed cut to winter fuel payments in the hope that they will bring forward fairer alternatives or put mitigations in place for the most vulnerable pensioners. 

“Whilst there are undoubtedly some wealthier pensioners who readily admit they don’t need the help, introducing such tight restrictions on eligibility will leave millions of struggling pensioners without the support they need this winter.

“There’s no doubt that the Conservatives have left our economy in a terrible state and failed to tackle the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. But, there are plenty of alternatives for the Labour government to consider, from keeping the universal benefit and taxing it, to removing the universal nature of the benefit but expanding eligibility for pension credit. 

“I’m acutely aware that many St Albans residents are very concerned about this proposed cut, and have already suffered hugely through the cost-of-living crisis. 

“We cannot stand by and allow support to be revoked from some of the most vulnerable members of society, and I will continue to push the government to introduce a fairer alternative to this cut.”

Speaking out on this issue, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harpenden & Berkhamsted, Victoria Collins, said:

“Since the government announced these plans to cut winter fuel payments, a number of residents have contacted me to raise concerns about how they will cope with soaring energy bills this winter.

“This new government must undoubtedly clear up the dire state the Conservatives left the public finances in, but now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“The government must maintain vital support for pensioners most in need, to ensure they are not left to endure another winter in a cost-of-living crisis. This is why I have today voted against this cut.”