MPs to vote on cut to winter fuel payment in test of Keir Starmer's authority

Keir Starmer could face another test of his authority on Tuesday as MPs vote on whether to cut winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners.

It’s thought some Labour MPs could abstain from the afternoon vote in the Commons, although the number voting against it may be smaller than the last rebellion.

Seven MPs were suspended in July after they voted against the Government on an SNP amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Ahead of the debate on the Winter Fuel Payment, I have written to the Chancellor to urge that, at a minimum, these changes are delayed.

I appreciate the difficult financial position the Conservatives have left, but the burden should fall on the wealthiest, not the vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/NlyUNPeJUV
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) September 10, 2024

Labour has said it has “no choice” but to cut the benefit after the previous UK Government left it a £22bn black hole.

The Prime Minister previously warned “things will get worse before they get better”.

Speaking ahead of the vote, the business secretary said the UK Government has to make “difficult decisions”.

Asked whether ministers accepted there was a possibility pensioners could die of cold this winter, Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “No. We are making sure that we can reassure people by saying the state pension is higher than last winter and energy bills are lower than last winter.”

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Age Scotland urges Scottish Labour MPs to vote against end of Winter Fuel Payment

The full state pension is to rise by £460 from next April, according to official wage figures released on Tuesday.

But critics, including trade unions and those from within party ranks, have questioned why Labour is not targeting the wealthy instead of pensioners.

Under the plans, the winter fuel allowance for pensioners will be limited to only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

It is expected to cut the number of people receiving the payment of up to £300 by ten million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, which the Government hopes will save about £1.4bn this year.

Today, I will vote against Labour’s plan to cut winter fuel payments.

How will your MP vote?
— Stephen Flynn MP (@StephenFlynnSNP) September 10, 2024

Following the UK announcement, the Scottish Government said it would also cut the benefit. Deputy first minister Kate Forbes said Holyrood would lose up to £160m in funding due to Labour’s decision.

The SNP said its MPs would vote against the UK Government at Tuesday’s vote.

The Tories have accused Labour of having failed to “properly examine” the implications of the policy.

“This has been completely rushed. There’s no need to do this as quickly as the Government has done, other than for purely political reasons,” shadow work and pensions secretary and Conservative leadership candidate Mel Stride told Times Radio.

“And it means that the implications of this, of course, have not been properly examined in the normal way that they would be, and which is why even trade unions such as Unite has described this as picking the pockets of pensioners.”