MP Neil O’Brien has slammed the Labour Government's decision to axe winter fuel payments for thousands of pensioners in Harborough, Oadby, and Wigston. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, made the announcement last week, meaning that around ten million older people will lose between £100 and £300 every winter.
In the Harborough area, 93.9% of pensioners will no longer receive the money. The number of recipients will drop by 19,103—from 20,343 to just 1,240. In Oadby and Wigston, the number of recipients will fall by 90.5%, from 11,335 to 1,074 – a drop of 10,261 people. Since being introduced in 1997, the Winter Fuel Payment has been available to all pensioners. The older age charity Age UK estimates around two million struggling pensioners will suffer because of the change.
Neil commented:
“When I first heard this announcement, I was aghast. It is shocking that this payment is being taken away from so many people in their later years. Many people who receive these payments aren’t well off; they rely on that money every winter. Many are just over the threshold for Pension Credit, which is not a high threshold, so many people will now struggle because of this Labour announcement.
“This is a political decision taken by Labour ministers, who only a few months ago were running a scaremongering campaign claiming we would get round of them and they would protect them. No wonder this total reversal of their position from just a couple of months back feels like a total betrayal to so many.
“I have been inundated with emails and calls from worried and angry constituents. I will speak up for them in Parliament. Despite the challenges posed by such a large Labour majority, I am determined to fight our corner on this.
“I am also concerned about pensioners who have high energy needs because of disability or illness or who live in energy-inefficient homes that cost more to heat. So many of them will be hit hard.
“This is a terrible announcement for the pensioners in Harborough, Oadby & Wigston.”
