East Riding of Yorkshire MPs Graham Stuart, Sir David Davis and Charlie Dewhirst have joined forces to present a petition of over 1,100 people against Labour’s Winter Fuel Payments cut to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Labour government made the choice to target older people with a £300 cut to their Winter Fuel Payment, unless pensioners are in receipt of Pension Credit.
During the General Election, the Labour Party promised it would not change pensioner benefits. This is just a part of Labour’s Budget of Broken Promises.
Maintaining the Winter Fuel Payment would cost the government £1.4 billion, or under 0.001% of total government expenditure.
Labour announced this move shortly after winning July’s General Election while choosing to reward striking train drivers with a 14.75% pay rise.
Conservative MPs from the East Riding have been working hard to make the case for the retention of the Payment, introduced when Gordon Brown was Chancellor, despite Labour claiming the cut is necessary.
Labour’s own analysis from 2017 suggests that 4,000 pensioners could die as a result of this cut, although the governing party has failed to produce an impact assessment.
The MPs have been encouraging those eligible for Pension Credit to take up the benefit, but that would still leave all pensioners on anything above £219 a week up to £300 worse off this winter.
This is not the first time the three East Riding MPs have worked together. Graham and Sir David have been collaborating to ensure telecoms companies share broadband infrastructure, while the three MPs are also working together to improve Special Educational Needs and Disability Education funding in the East Riding.
Graham Stuart MP (Con, Beverley and Holderness) said, “It’s wrong that Labour is taking £300 from the poorest pensioners – and I’m proud that over 1,100 people signed the petition against this cruel and callous move.
“Our message to Labour is simple: there’s still time to change your mind. U-turn on this brutal policy. No one will think any worse of you. And you’ll let older people live in dignity this winter.
“I’ll continue to work with Sir David and Charlie to make sure the people of the East Riding are protected against the worst of this government – and with last week’s Budget, which targets every working person in the East Riding, there is much more work to do over the coming months and years.
“I’m delighted to have two fantastic, hard working local colleagues in Sir David and Charlie.”
Sir David Davis (Con, Goole and Pocklington) said, “The decision from this Government to cut the Winter Fuel Payment is both unjust and short-sighted. Especially during a cost-of-living crisis, the £300 payment has been a crucial lifeline to millions of pensions.”
“By limiting the Allowance only to those on Pension Credit, Labour is neglecting thousands of elderly across the East Riding who, while not qualifying for means-tested benefits, still struggle with the cost of energy.”
“Ultimately, this decision will end up costing the Government more by adding pressure to the NHS during the winter months.”
“I am pleased to be working alongside Graham and Charlie in urging the Government to reconsider this harmful decision and reinstate the universal Winter Fuel Payment to ensure all our pensioners can live with dignity.”
Charlie Dewhirst MP (Con, Bridlington and the Wolds) said, “Introducing means-testing of these payments so quickly, and with no mitigations to support the most vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy choice and will leave many of my constituents without a payment they desperately need to stay warm this winter.
“Residents living in energy inefficient homes or have higher energy costs, owing to ill-health, will be severely affected and the potential health risks are alarming.
“Cold-related illnesses can significantly increase the risk of hospital admissions, particularly for those with severe health conditions such as COPD, arthritis, diabetes, and asthma.
“The last thing they, or indeed the NHS, need this winter is to worry about staying warm.
“I am grateful to my colleagues, David and Graham, for their continued work with me across East Riding as we fight this unjust decision.”
