Tameside MPs detail their Winter Fuel vote

TAMESIDE MPs have told how they felt they had no choice but to vote for the controversial decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment from many pensioners.

People in the borough had spoken of their displeasure at the Labour government’s announcement as part of a series of measures to address what it called a £22 billion ‘black hole’ in public finances left by the Conservative administration.

Now it has gone through, the tax-free sum of between £200 and £300 will be limited to only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

Ashton-under-Lyne’s Angela Rayner, Stalybridge and Hyde’s Jonathan Reynolds and Denton’s Andrew Gwynne all sided with Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. in opposing a Tory motion, which urged a delay in implementing cuts for about 10 million pensioners.

Only one MP from the ruling party, Jon Trickett, opposed the government.

Another 53, including seven ministers, had no vote recorded, which does not necessarily mean that an MP actively chose to abstain – for example, some may have been unable to attend because of other commitments.

And five of the seven former Labour MPs who lost the whip after defying the government over the two-child benefit cap earlier this year voted with the opposition.

Now Tameside’s representatives in the House of Commons have detailed their reasons to The Correspondent.

Mr Reynolds said: “No-one wants to go into government to make difficult decisions. Sadly, we have no choice.

“The £22 billion black hole the Tory mess left us is real and means tough choices are necessary to honour our commitments (in my department, important things like justice for sub-postmasters and saving the steel industry).

“I want to reassure you that through our ongoing commitment to the triple lock, all pensioners will be better off in the year ahead, with extra targeted support for those on lower incomes.

“To find out if you or a loved one might be illegible for Pension Credit, and therefore for continued receipt of Winter Fuel Allowance, click here www.gov.uk/pension-credit.”

Ms Rayner, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, also pointed out the economic necessity for the move.

She said: “The Labour Government has had to make the difficult decision to provide Winter Fuel Payments only to those pensioners who claim Pension Credit due to the dire state of the public finances inherited from the previous Government.

“There was a projected overspend in the public finances of £22 billion for this year. If unaddressed this would have increased the budget deficit by 25 per cent.

“I support maintaining the triple lock, so that the value of the State Pension is protected, and I also want to see greater take-up of Pension Credit.

“We are committed to working with older people’s charities and local authorities to raise awareness of this important benefit, which provides support to the poorest pensioners

“It’s vital that everyone receives the money to which they are entitled.”

The Correspondent also contacted Mr Gwynne’s office but as yet has not received a response.

Before the vote on Tuesday, September 10, Sir Keir said: “If you’re asking whether I recognise it’s a tough decision I absolutely recognise the tough decision.

“If you’re asking, would I want to make this decision, the answer is no, but I did not want to inherit a £22 billion black hole, and I’m not prepared to walk past that.”