Jardine votes against cut to Winter Fuel Allowance

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has voted against Labour’s plan to cut the Winter Fuel Payment for more than 18,000 pensioners in her constituency.

The vote comes as a new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the staggering effects of the cut to the winter fuel allowance this winter, with three in four (75%) expecting to be affected by the cut.

More than half (55%) of UK pensioners polled said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter, while 4 in 10 will look to cut back on other ‘essentials’. 1 in 5 (19%) pensioners are planning to eat less this winter due to the cut.

Government analysis shows an estimated 18,261 pensioners in Edinburgh West are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

A motion in Parliament to block the changes was defeated by 228 votes to 348, with all Liberal Democrat MPs voting against Labour’s cut.

Ms Jardine is urging the government to protect poorer and more vulnerable pensioners from being forced to choose between eating and heating this winter.

Christine Jardine said:

“I was glad to vote against the government’s cruel and unnecessary cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners, and stand up for vulnerable pensioners in my community.

“My inbox has been inundated with concerned letters from hundreds of pensioners in Edinburgh West who are deeply worried and angry about these changes.

“So many pensioners are already facing another winter of a cost of living crisis and this will make things worse.

“I recognise that the new government faces difficult choices after the appalling mess left by the Conservatives. But a rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners in our community continue to get the support they so desperately need.”

“I will continue to do everything I can to stop any pensioner from needing to choose between heating or eating this winter."