Dinenage quizzes Prime Minister on fuel payment cut
By Linden Grigg
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has again challenged the Labour Government on their Winter Fuel Payment policies this week as she questioned Sir Kier Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon (November 6); where she raised the plight of a constituent who is struggling as a result of this controversial decision.
Speaking directly to the Prime Minister, Caroline recounted in a packed House of Commons how “Susan” missed out on hundreds of pounds worth of benefits including the Winter Fuel Payment. This is because she was just £10 above the Pension Credit threshold, meaning she is not eligible for extra support during the upcoming winter months.
“Susan” had previously written to Caroline in dismay at losing up to £300 of Winter Fuel Payment; which is an annual financial top-up that was paid to those. It was designed to help vulnerable elderly people deal with the need of extra heating with letters believed to have been sent out to eligible adults last month.
It comes after the Labour Government confirmed that they would axe the payment for all pensioners except those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits; which would save £1.5 billion and help towards fixing a black hole in public finances. However this could affect up to 10 million people this year with a legal challenge currently being planned.
Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber, Caroline asked the Prime Minister: “My constituent, Susan, is going to miss out on her winter fuel allowance this winter because she is just £10 above the pension credit threshold.”
“So, as well as losing out on this vital money to keep her house warm, she also doesn’t get the £150 Warm Home Discount. She doesn’t get the £169 Free TV licence or free NHS prescriptions for the sake of a tenner, Prime Minister. Is this fair?”
Sir Keir Starmer responded to the Gosport MP: “Mr Speaker, we passed a Budget which was to fix the foundations of this country. One of the issues we had to confront was the £22 billion black hole left by the last Government.
“We’ve taken the tough decisions that will stabilise our economy. That means we can commit to the triple lock and that means that pensioners will be better off seeing the increase in that pension they would have been under the Party opposite.”
Speaking afterwards, Caroline said: “I am in no doubt that the Government cuts to Winter Fuel Payments are not a necessity, they are a cruel choice, a choice not even their Trade Union paymasters agree with.”
“Government’s own data shows 13,000 people in the Gosport constituency alone will be impacted. These are not wealthy people, and removing this vital contribution towards winter heating costs is removing a lifeline.”
PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE: Gosport MP stands up in the House of Commons on Wednesday to question Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
