Dinenage votes against removal of fuel payments

By Linden Grigg

GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has expressed her frustrations after voting against the Labour Government in a Opposition Day debate that took place on Tuesday afternoon (September 10); which focused on the controversial subject of scrapping the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.

The Conservative Party tabled a motion to annul the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024, which were laid by the Labour Government to remove Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners. The SI was due to come in to force on 22 September, at which point payment of winter fuel allowance would be linked to receipt of pension credit. The vote on this motion came before a Conservative Opposition Day debate on Winter Fuel Payment.

It comes as the Government announced they would scrap the payment from this year, which has been paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills and ensured that they would not be left exposed to increased risk as a result of not being able to pay for “adequate heating”.

But the Chancellor announced in July that the payment would now be made only to those on low incomes who received certain benefit; thus meaning 10 million people across England and Wales won’t receive the money. The Government state that this measure was taken to recoup part of a “£22 billion black hole in the economy” left by the former leading party.

Although some pensioners stated they never needed the payment, charities and many MPs are concerned about those still on a relatively small income who will miss out. The opposition argues that this measure would only save £1.4 billion and could lead to nearly 4,000 deaths; whilst It is reported that thousands of pensioners are eligible for pension credits and do not claim this means-tested benefit.

Ms Dinenage spoke in the debate as she said: “Pensioners in my constituency will be feeling really saddened by the way he is caricaturing them as wealthy and not in need of this winter fuel support. Age UK have said that in the Gosport constituency alone there are 15,000 pensioners who stand to lose their winter fuel payment. These are not people who are wealthy, they are people who in many cases are just outside of the pensions credit limit and are hanging on by their fingertips. Does he agree with me that caricaturing them as wealthy and not in need is so unbelievably insulting?”

She was backed by current Conservative Leader, Rishi Sunak, who said: “Labour’s choice to cut vital support for pensioners to fund an inflation-busting pay rise for train drivers is unnecessary and wrong. On top of that, Labour are rushing through this cut, without being straight with the British public about the true impact facing pensioners.

“The last Conservative Government always made sure to protect our vulnerable pensioners, because we believe that those who have worked hard all their lives deserve security and peace of mind in retirement. But within weeks of coming into power Labour are cutting the Winter Fuel Payments, with potentially devastating consequences. Labour MPs know this is indefensible – they must do the right thing and force the Government to come clean about the impact this punishing cut will have.”

The Shadow Work and Pensions’ Secretary, Mel Stride, added: “Today is the chance for Labour MPs to put party politics aside and do the right thing by voting for our motions.  Sir Keir Starmer has made the decision to take the Winter Fuel Payment away from 10 million pensioners whilst handing billions to his union paymasters.  This is Labour MPs’ first opportunity to put the country before their Party, and vote with us to stop vulnerable pensioners choosing between heating and eating this winter.”

The Gosport MP joined her Conservative colleagues by voting against both motions alongside the Liberal Democrats, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Labour majority despite many choosing not to vote for a number of reasons. The Government won the main vote by 348 to 228 in the Commons shortly after the debate had concluded; a majority of 120 MPs.

Responding after the Opposition Day debate, Ms Dinenage further outlined her concerns as she said: The speed with which these proposals have been announced and enforced has left no time for their scrutiny. I am especially concerned that there are 800,000 pensioners across the country who are eligible for pension credit but who have not applied, and so will no longer receive the vital support of Winter Fuel Payment.”

“I know that claiming pension credit will come with its own struggles for many pensioners in the Gosport Constituency who are not digitally literate, or who are overwhelmed by the 243 questions on the application form, or who are disabled or vulnerable. They are the ones most in need of this small payment. “This decision from the Labour Government is a cruel blow to them especially as we approach the Winter.”

PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE MP: Gosport MP stands in Westminster on Tuesday with sign arguing against the scrapping of Winter Fuel Payments.