The future of Winter Fuel Payments for 23,000 pensioners in North West Norfolk will be decided by MPs after the Conservatives successfully pushed for a debate and vote.
Now following strong pressure from Conservative MPs, including James Wild, opposition from AgeUK and other groups, and people across the country, the decision to end the payments will be debated and voted on by MPs on Tuesday.
Pensioners in North West Norfolk will lose between £200 and £300 annually to help with their heating bills during the winter if Labour MPs back the plan.
James Wild MP said:
“The Labour Government has made the wrong choice to scrap Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. Now we have forced a vote, I will be standing up for vulnerable pensioners in North West Norfolk. The Chancellor should reverse this decision so that those who worked hard and saved all of their life, live with dignity and security in retirement.”
A vote will take place on Tuesday 10 September.
The Conservatives called for a vote in Parliament over the summer by tabling a motion to annul the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024:
- Conservative MPs tabled a motion to annul the Winter Fuel Payments Regulations on 23 August 2024: ‘That a humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 148), dated 22 August, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22 August, be annulled’ (Hansard, Early Day Motion 112, 2 September 2024, link).
