North East MPs react to Keir Starmer’s winter fuel allowance U-turn
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced this afternoon that he wants more pensioners to be eligible for the winter fuel payment. The announcement marks a major policy U-turn for the Prime Minister and his Government.
It was announced last summer that winter fuel payments would be scrapped for around ten million pensioners, with those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits no longer getting the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300.
But today, Mr Starmer said he wants more pensioners to be eligible for winter fuel payments.
MPs across the region have been reacting to the U-turn, including Lola McEvoy, Labour MP for Darlington. Ms McEvoy was one of 19 North East MPs who originally voted to scrap winter fuel payments.
Ms McEvoy said the Government inherited an economy in an “absolute mess” from the Conservatives and that hard decisions had to be made.
She added: “We are now seeing improvements that would not have been possible without the economic stability that this Government has delivered.
Lola McEvoy is hopeful that this approach will ensure more targeted support reaches those in Darlington who need it most (Image: Stuart Boulton)
“That means the country’s finances do not currently allow for universal winter fuel support. That’s why I’ve worked closely with both Darlington Council and the Government to ensure the Government-funded Household Support Fund prioritises extra help for the poorest pensioners in Darlington—including those just up to £1000 above the Pension Credit threshold.”
Ms McEvoy said the Government does recognise too many people, including pensioners, are still struggling with the cost of living.
She added: “The Prime Minister is right to say ‘we only make decisions we can afford’ and I am pleased that the improvements to our economy mean the Government can now look at making more pensioners eligible for winter fuel payment. I am hopeful that this approach will ensure more targeted support reaches those in Darlington who need it most.”
Residents in Ms McEvoy’s constituency of Darlington also reacted to the news of the U-turn, with the overall sentiment being the announcement is too little, too late. One resident called the decision a “drop in the ocean”.
Sam Rushworth, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, welcomed the Government’s announcement.
Mr Rushworth said: “This is something I pressed the Government on within hours of the Chancellor’s announcement last summer – that because we live in a cold part of the country with many badly insulated homes and higher than average energy bills, the pension credit threshold is too low for cutting off this support.
“I have made this point in the House of Commons chamber, in private meetings with ministers, and three times in visits to Downing Street”.
Mr Rushworth said he understood why the Government originally made the decision and, echoing Ms McEvoy’s statement, he said: “Britain was on a dangerous financial cliff edge and immediate savings needed to be banked to prevent a Liz Truss style melt down that would have put pensions at risk and sent interest rates soaring.
“Thanks to the Government stabilising the economy, we’ve now had four consecutive interest rate cuts; three trade deals that will secure jobs and cut bills, the fastest growing economy in the G7, and record new investment in the NHS.
“However, one of the political consequences of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance, is that people who felt the Government was not on their side have switched off and will not see all the good that is being done to strengthen the economy and improve public services.
“So I think it is important we acknowledge public feeling and build trust again with the people we came into politics to serve”.
Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool, was also one of the 19 North East MPs who voted to scrap the winter fuel payment last year.
He said: “When the original decision was taken I said publicly that means testing was right, but the threshold was too low. I met with ministers at the time who confirmed that they would look at the threshold.
Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, welcomed the Government’s announcement (Image: Parliamentlive.tv)
“This is what must now happen. No-one seriously believes that those who are well off should be getting state handouts, but the threshold must increase to ensure that every pensioner who needs the allowance receives it. This is the right decision.
“In Hartlepool, I’ve worked with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Council to maximise benefit uptake for pensioners and that has resulted in nearly one million pounds of additional annual income for Hartlepool pensioners”.
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Mr Brash added he will “always work to support those who need it in Hartlepool”.
Posting on X, North Durham MP Luke Akehurst, another North East MP who voted to scrap the winter fuel payment, said: “During the local elections I repeatedly heard from local pensioners across North Durham about the impact on their household finances of the means testing of the Winter Fuel Allowance.
“I am therefore very pleased that the Prime Minister has listened to the public on this issue and announced that because economic growth means the public finances are in a better place, the Government is able to review the income threshold for Winter Fuel Allowance. We heard you and we will be acting”.