Hertford & Stortford Conservatives have expressed outrage after local Labour MP Josh Dean voted in favour of Government plans to cut Winter Fuel Payments for thousands of local pensioners, while supporting significant pay increases for striking train drivers earning £65,000 a year.
Under the new proposal, only pensioners receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, a move which could leave pensioners on as little as £13,000 a year without vital support as energy bills rise.
Local Conservative Councillor Diane Hollebon condemned the decision, stating:
"Josh Dean MP’s vote in favour of this cut is nothing short of a betrayal of the pensioners who rely on this lifeline. In East Hertfordshire alone, over 24,000 pensioners stand to lose their Winter Fuel Payment, pushing them into impossible choices between heating their homes or affording basic necessities. At the same time, train drivers on £65,000 a year have been handed inflation-busting pay increases. The contrast could not be clearer – the Government is making the wrong choices and prioritising the wrong people."
The proposed cuts, which have caused alarm among elderly residents, come with little notice ahead of the winter months, when energy costs are expected to increase further. Local pensioners and their families have voiced concerns about the severe impact this will have on those just above the Pension Credit threshold, who may find themselves struggling to keep their homes warm.
Hertford & Stortford Conservatives are calling on the community to continue voicing their opposition and to sign the petition ahead of the Chancellor’s budget in October, the final chance to reverse this damaging policy. By showing strong public opposition, residents can send a clear message that cutting the Winter Fuel Payment is unacceptable and urge the Government to protect pensioners.
To sign the petition, please click here or visit https://www.hertfordandstortfordconservatives.org/campaigns/protect-our-pensioners-save-winter-fuel-payment
