A Labour MP has told Premier Christian News that cutting the winter fuel payment to a means-tested policy is a “rushed” decision.
Speaking on the final day of the party conference in Liverpool, Labour MP for York Central, Rachael Maskell told Premier Christian Radio: “This policy is being rushed through. As such, there isn’t time to deliver it in a different way.
"But for those people who are fuel poor – and we have got nearly 2 million people like that in the UK – it really is a lifeline to have that cushion between you and your energy company.
“Delay [the cut] for this year, put the right systems in place for the future and keep people safe and warm. That’s got to be the priority.
“We’ve got to think about the consequences for people who fall out of the system and are too afraid to put the heating on this winter.”
The Labour Party lost a non-binding vote on the final day of its conference, with a show of hands showing a majority of those present disagreed with cutting the allowance. The motion was tabled by union Unite – which Maskell used to be part of.
Chancellor Rachael Reeves has said “incredibly tough choices” will have to be made to fill a “black hole” of £22bn left by the previous government.
The fuel benefit will now only be available for pensioners receiving up to £12,600 per year – or £230 a week.
Until the cut, those over 80 were entitled to £300, and pensioners under 80 automatically received £200, regardless of their wealth.
Yet Maskell remains optimistic about her party’s direction:
“What I’m saying to an eager government is: ‘Let’s get this right, and then we will win the race.’
“I think the big vision for the party over the next 10 years is incredibly positive, however it’s so important to get the details right... its the hare and the tortoise approach.”