Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer successfully navigated a backbench rebellion over controversial plans to cut the winter fuel allowance, though the Government’s majority on the issue was notably reduced indicating his political honeymoon period is now well and truly over.
In a vote held in the House of Commons, MPs voted 348 to 228 in favor of ending the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners, despite opposition from within the Labour Party and an attempt by the Conservatives to block the policy. The Government’s usual working majority of 167 was slashed to 120.
Locally the former Labour and now independent MP for Salford, Rebecca Long-Bailey abstained from voting on the motion whilst her former party colleague Michael Wheeler MP for Worsley and Eccles voted in favour.
Ministers argue that the measure is essential to address a “£22 billion deficit” in the public finances, which they claim was inherited from the previous Conservative government but the move has left a sour taste in the mouths of many across the country who say it is a step too far.
Shouts of “shame” could be heard in the House of Commons chamber as the result was announced.
Mr Wheeler said via Twitter:
“I know that many constituents are concerned about today’s vote on Winter Fuel Payments. I voted with the Government in order to take the tough decisions now and deliver the change we need in the long term. Remember, there is still help available for those who need it.”
Adding:
“I came into politics to help people in my community. This inevitably involves difficult decisions. I would not have voted for this change unless I thought it was necessary.”
Meanwhile Mrs Long-Bailey said in a statement:
“Today, I could not in all conscience vote to support the proposals to means test Winter Fuel Payments as they stand and so did not vote in favour of them.
“8,400 people in my constituency are set to be affected by these cuts, whilst 1,800 older people are already missing out on pension credit they are entitled to.”
She continued:
“It is however important to note that these cuts don’t take into account those with modest incomes that are just above the pension credit entitlement threshold, so I am gravely concerned about introducing means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment so quickly, at a time when energy bills are due to increase significantly and with no mitigations to support the most vulnerable pensioners.”
The cut will affect and estimated 10m pensioners across the country.
Only a single Labour MP ‘Jon Trickett’, the MP for Normanton and Hemsworth, voted against the governments plans, revealing that he voted against Sir Keir Starmer’s government over concerns about more pensioners falling into poverty.
For those in Salford represented by MP’s from other boroughs due to recent boundary changes, both Christian Wakeford (Bury South) representing Kersal and Broughton Park and Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South) representing Little Hulton, Walkden North and South, voted with the Government.
