Lib Dems call for vote on Winter Fuel Allowance cut this week to avoid ‘damaging public trust’

EMBARGO: 22:30 Sunday 1st September

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper has written to Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, the Leader of the House of Commons, demanding that MPs be given a vote this week on the government’s proposed cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance for millions of pensioners.

In her letter, Daisy Cooper warns that failing to hold a debate and vote on the issue would risk “damaging public trust in politics” especially given the policy wasn’t included in the Labour manifesto at the election and is now set to go through with “minimal parliamentary scrutiny.”

The letter adds that there are just two weeks to go to protect pensioners from the cut before it comes into force on 16th September. 

The Liberal Democrats will today (Monday 2nd September) table a motion backed by all 72 of its MPs to block the government’s proposals through a debate and vote in Parliament. 

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP said:

“Over the past few weeks we have heard from countless pensioners worried about whether they’ll be able to heat their homes this winter.

“To push these cuts through without any other measures to mitigate the impact on millions of poorer pensioners, and with minimal parliamentary scrutiny, risks damaging the public's trust in politics and putting the most vulnerable at risk.

“We all appreciate the damage that the Conservative Party did to the public finances and the size of the challenges in front of us, but this is a step in the wrong direction and the proposed cuts must be scrutinised properly. 

“The government must give MPs the chance to debate better solutions, vote on their cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance and prevent millions of the most vulnerable in our society from losing out.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Full letter from Daisy Cooper MP to the Leader of the House:

Dear Leader of the House,

I am writing to you regarding the government’s proposal to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment from millions of pensioners, and to urge you to give MPs a debate and vote on this issue in the coming week.

These changes mean 10 million pensioners are set to lose the £300 payment this winter, at a time when energy bills are set to increase due to the increase in the energy price cap. Of these, the charity Age UK has warned that two million will find paying their energy bills a real stretch and will be seriously hit by this cut. 

In addition, according to the Government’s own figures, 800,000 of the lowest-income pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it, meaning they will lose their Winter Fuel Payments.

The Liberal Democrats recognise that the government faces difficult choices given the appalling mess left by the Conservative Party. 

We also recognise that whilst there are some wealthier pensioners who don’t need the help and would readily say so, restricting eligibility so tightly has given rise to concerns that too many pensioners living in poverty will fall between the cracks. 

Therefore, given the significant impact the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment will have, we believe it is vital MPs are given the opportunity for a proper debate and a vote before these changes come into force. That is why Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled a prayer motion to annul this change and ensure Parliament is given a debate and a vote.

A major change like this for millions of pensioners, including many in poverty, should not be forced through with minimal parliamentary scrutiny. MPs must be given a chance to represent the views of their constituents and to propose alternative choices. 

I am particularly concerned that given this policy was not included in the Labour Party’s manifesto, and therefore lacks a democraticmandate, failure to grant a vote would risk damaging public trust in the government and in politics more widely. This would risk compounding the damage to faith in our political system caused by years of chaos and broken promises under the previous Conservative government.

There are now just two weeks to go until the legislation underpinning this change comes into force on Monday 16th September. I would urge you to give MPs a debate and a vote before it is too late.

Yours sincerely,

Daisy Cooper