Labour MPs warn winter fuel cuts could harm pensioners

Labour MPs have raised alarms over Chancellor Rachel Reeves' proposal to eliminate winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners, a move expected to affect around 10 million individuals. This decision, announced in July, aims to cut payments of up to £300, originally introduced in 1997, as the energy price cap rises by 10%. The announcement has led to widespread public outcry, with nearly half a million signatures on a petition urging the government to reconsider. As MPs prepare to vote on the policy, many Labour politicians report receiving a significant volume of concerned correspondence from constituents, with some expressing fears that the cuts could lead to increased hospitalizations among the elderly. One MP noted that the political ramifications of the decision could outweigh the projected savings of £1.5 billion, as negative media coverage could highlight the struggles of elderly individuals unable to afford heating. Rosie Duffield, a Labour MP, emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable lives, particularly those with ongoing health issues who rely on warmth for their well-being. She and other MPs have indicated their intention to oppose the cuts, reflecting a growing dissent within the party. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has reported that cold homes contributed to nearly 5,000 excess deaths in the previous winter, underscoring the potential human cost of the proposed cuts. With twelve Labour MPs backing a motion to delay the policy, the government faces mounting pressure to reconsider its approach to winter fuel support for pensioners.