A Medway pensioner recently reached out to their local MP, Lauren Edwards, voicing frustration and concern over Labour’s decision to cut the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for most pensioners, limiting it to those on Pension Credit only. In their heartfelt letter, the pensioner pointed out Labour’s past condemnation of similar proposals by the Conservatives and questioned the morality and logic behind the cut, especially given the known risk of increased winter deaths among the elderly. The pensioner argued that reallocating funds from other projects could easily preserve this vital support for seniors.

However, the response from MP Lauren Edwards was a standard reply, stressing Labour’s financial challenges, the decision’s necessity to “balance the books,” and its commitment to “protecting the triple lock.” Despite acknowledging the hardship this cut could bring, her response leaned on broader budget priorities like NHS waiting times, with little assurance of action against the Winter Fuel Payment restrictions.

This exchange underscores the disillusionment among pensioners and raises questions about Labour’s commitment to its most vulnerable constituents. Reform UK calls on the government to protect seniors from winter hardship by reinstating the full Winter Fuel Payment.

The letter and response in full:

Lauren Edwards M.P.
House of Commons
London
SW1 0AA

Winter Fuel Payment.

Dear Lauren Edwards,

As this is the first time I have written to you may I give my congratulations on your election as MP for Rochester and Strood. I hope that you achieve much for us.

Much is happening at the moment but one thing that vexes me as a constituent, and a pensioner, is the proposal to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from those very same pensioners.

The Tories in 2017 were considering such a move. A Labour promoted enquiry at the time predicted that implementation of this policy through would cause 4,000 excess deaths in the elderly. Labour at that time, and since, rightly condemned the Tories for this and it was binned. Sir Kier Starmer also promised that he was not going to do this were Labour elected. I believe that an investigation has predicted a death toll of 17,000 this time around, if the same policy goes ahead.

Yet here we are. Condemnation this time coming from many sides, not just pensioner groups, but from the Unions and reportedly Labour MPs. Admittedly they may just abstain, but I consider that a dereliction of what should be the decent thing to do.

Whilst £1,400,000,000 is an awful lot of money for the ordinary person to comprehend it is a drop in the ocean especially as funds have been found for various overseas projects. A small reduction in any of these would accommodate the £1,400,000,000 Winter Fuel payment. Rachel Reeves said this payment withdrawal was needed to help balance the books and prevent a run on the pound. If this amount would start a run, then we should not be spending any extra money on anything! Personally, I think the Money Markets would not be spooked by £1,400,000,000.

I will watch the tomorrow with interest and the way you cast to vote. I hope that you will make a stand for all pensioners in Medway and the UK by voting against this. I believe it would show a commitment to what I always thought Labour stood for – the poorer sections of society.

Yours sincerely

[Name & address supplied]

From:lauren.edwards.mp@parliament.uk <lauren.edwards.mp@parliament.uk>
Sent: 20 October 2024 19:29
To:[email address removed]
Subject: Winter Fuel Allowance decision (Case Ref: xxxxx)

Dear Constituent, 

Thank you for writing to me about the decision to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance and restrict it to those on Pension Credit only.

As the Chancellor explained, this was not a decision that she wanted to or expected to make; however, savings needed to be urgently identified to put the country on the right track. Labour has faced a very difficult economic legacy from the outgoing Conservative government. The country is facing a £22bn blackhole in the public finances and extreme pressures across all public services, particularly in the NHS, which many pensioners rely on. To improve the NHS, we have prioritised reducing waiting times to 18 weeks and making it easier to see your GP.

The government is committed to protecting the triple lock on pensions over the lifetime of this parliament. The triple lock saw the new state pension rise by over £900 this year, and a further rise will be announced at the budget later this month. And because of our commitment to the triple lock, pensions are projected to increase by over £1,000 in the next five years. This demonstrates that the Labour Party does take the issue of the well-being of pensioners seriously and is committed to lifting pensioners out of poverty. 

Under the last Conservative government, over 800,000 eligible pensioners didn’t get the benefits they were entitled to. I want to make sure that all eligible constituents sign up for Pension Credit, so I will be working with the Department for Work and Pensions, Medway Council, and others to ensure that our poorest pensioners are able to retain the Winter Fuel Allowance by applying for the benefits they are entitled to. If you believe you may be entitled to Pension Credit, please check by visiting the following link: http://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility or by calling the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234. If you or anyone you know need support, please let my office know and we will do our best to help.

I have also made representations to the Chancellor to include further targeted help in the upcoming Budget for those who are on lower incomes but earning just above the qualifying threshold for Pension Credit. The recent extension of the Household Support Fund, which will provide £500m of targeted support for those in the greatest need, will also help those on low incomes to stay warm this winter. In addition, we are prioritising support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating and upgrade millions of homes over this parliament.

This government will always be open and transparent with the public about the state of the public finances and the tough choices we must take to protect our economic stability. This includes the difficult decision on Winter Fuel Payments. But we also know that it is pensioners with fixed incomes who would suffer if we took reckless decisions like the Conservatives did under Liz Truss. That’s why we will continue to take the necessary decisions and protect the most vulnerable through our plan to fix the foundations of our country.

Lauren Edwards
Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood

By Dave

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