Stockport’s Liberal Democrat MPs to vote against Winter Fuel Allowance cut

Tom Morrison and Lisa Smart are working together to oppose the Labour Government’s planned cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance, and will vote against it.

It comes as a new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the staggering effects of the cut to the winter fuel allowance this winter. The poll of pensioners showed that three in four (75%) expect to be affected by the Government’s cut to winter fuel allowance payments.

Staggeringly, over half (55%) of UK pensioners polled said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter, while 4 in 10 will look to cut back on other ‘essentials’. 1 in 5 (19%) pensioners are planning to eat less this winter due to the cut. 

Locally, the analysis shows an estimated 19,009 pensioners in Hazel Grove and 18,869 pensioners in Cheadle are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

Research from the charity Age UK shows the proposed cut to Winter Fuel Payments will mean two million will find paying their energy bills a real stretch and will be seriously hit by this cut.

Liberal Democrats initially called for a vote by tabling a motion and will now take the opportunity to oppose the Government.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart said: “We will be voting against the Government’s cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners.

“Pensioners who are living in poverty should not be facing this as they endure another winter in a cost of living crisis.

Tom Morrison added: “Since these plans have been announced I have been inundated with local people expressing their disappointment at this decision so I’ll be standing up for them in Parliament.

“While we understand the dire state the Conservatives left the public finances in, now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”