BOROUGH MPs have explained their decisions to vote on the government’s move to scrap winter fuel payments for pensioners.
A vote on measures to restrict payments to those not receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits was help in the Commons last week with a Conservative motion to revert it defeated by 348 votes to 228.
The plans are expected to cut the number of people who get the annual payment from 10.8million last year to 1.5million this winter according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Liam Byrne, the Labour MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North voted with the government against the motion.
He said: ““I simply could not believe that the last government left a whacking great £22 billion hole in the books that needs to be sorted this financial year. If we don’t fix this black hole now, we risk a Liz Truss-style meltdown in the nation’s finances that risks interest rates and inflation shooting back up and no-one wants that.
“If we take the difficult decisions however, we will be able to afford to honour the triple lock rise in pensions, worth £900 this year – and another £400 next year, which is double the level of inflation. In fact, pensions will rise over £1,700 over the course of this parliament.
“So, this is an incredibly difficult decision but it’s truly a case of a stitch in time saves nine. All that said, I remain incredibly worried about the impact on the poorest pensioners, so I’m asking for their help filling in my survey so I can present an analysis of further steps needed to deliver protections at the budget.”
Solihull’s Conservative MPs Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst for Solihull West and Shirley and Saqib Bhatti for Meriden and Solihull East voted in favour of the motion.
Dr Shastri-Hurst said: “In Solihull West and Shirley, 17,140 pensioners, some of whom are amongst society’s most vulnerable, will now lose £300.
“The Government’s policy, as proposed, will plunge them into uncertainty and worry as winter approaches.
“As with so much of Government policy at the present time, this policy has been pushed through at pace without any due consideration. Before the debate and vote I reached out to my constituents and asked for their views. I have subsequently received numerous responses, setting out the very real hardship this ill-conceived policy will cause.
“Therefore, I voted against the Government’s ill-conceived plan, and I will continue to support vulnerable pensioners through the winter months as best as I can.”
Mr Bhatti said: “For many pensioners, their only source of income is the state pension and without the much needed help of the winter fuel payments they may be unable to effectively heat their homes.
“The decision to cut winter fuel payments is purely political.
“The Labour Party are using pensioners as a political weapon, and it is completely unconscionable.
“I voted against this measure and I will continue to speak out against it and every opportunity.”
