Today, Tuesday 10th September, Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Member of Parliament for Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent, Stubbington, and Hill Head, voted against the Labour Government’s decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments in two key Conservative motions.
The Conservative Party tabled a motion to annul the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024, which aims to restrict Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners receiving pension credit. The change is set to come into force on 22nd September, potentially cutting off millions of pensioners from this vital support. Dame Caroline voted against the motion in both a key debate and an Opposition Day discussion.
During the debate, Caroline Dinenage voiced concerns for her constituents, stating:
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 pension 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?”
Speaking after the debate, she expressed deep concern over the lack of scrutiny given to these proposals and the detrimental impact on vulnerable pensioners:
“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.”
Rishi Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, also criticised Labour’s decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments, saying:
Labour’s choice to cut vital support for pensioners to fund an inflation-busting pay rise for train drivers is unnecessary and wrong. 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.”
Mel Stride, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, echoed the sentiment, urging Labour MPs to vote against the Government’s policy:
“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. Today is the chance for Labour MPs to put party politics aside and do the right thing by voting for our motions.”
The proposed means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments has sparked controversy across the political spectrum, with concerns mounting over how it will impact pensioners who are already struggling to make ends meet.
