The Labour Government has confirmed that it will means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, limiting it to those in receipt of Pension Credit and certain other means-tested benefits from winter 2024-25.
Bognor Regis and Littlehampton’s MP said the Government has made a choice to punish pensioners who have worked hard all their lives, and to give a higher than inflation pay rise to train drivers.
Speaking in the debate, Alison Griffiths said: “They have a Digital Centre for Government which is all ready to use technology to improve public services. This is a complete failure of negotiation. The price is being paid by our pensioners.”
It is estimated that in the Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency 23,282 pensioners will no longer receive the winter fuel payments, resulting in an 89.9% decrease in recipients.
Commenting on the vote, Alison said: “The negotiating strategy of this government was to bow down to the archaic working practices of train drivers, and their union paymasters. There has been no acknowledgement by the unions, or by this government, of the phenomenal evolution of technology, not least in the last 5 years.
They have delivered no concessions, no improvements in working practices, and none of the efficiency which this ongoing transformation in technology makes possible. The consequence is a missed opportunity to deliver better public services. This failure inflicts a cruel punishment on our pensioners.”
Alison said, “I have been contacted by numerous constituents desperate for support over this coming winter. I voted against Labour’s ill-conceived plan. I will continue to champion vulnerable pensioners through the winter months, in Parliament and in the constituency.”
