Harborough’s MP Demands Re-Think On Winter Fuel Payment Cut

Harborough’s MP is calling for the government to U-turn on the decision to axe winter fuel payments to most pensioners after it was revealed energy costs will increase.

Average bills will go up by almost £150 after regulator Ofgem announced a new price-cap, blamed on higher wholesale costs.

The rise will take effect in October, just as millions of pensioners lose their winter fuel benefit payment and there are concerns some will be left unable to afford to heat their homes.

Conservative Neil O’Brien told HFM it is time the Labour government has a re-think:

A government spokesperson said: “This government is committed to pensioners: protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our warm homes plan and cutting NHS waiting lists.

“Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, this government must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy.

“In these circumstances, it is right that winter fuel payments are targeted at those in most need, and we will work with local authorities to boost uptake of pension credit, reaching the many pensioners who could still benefit from this year’s winter fuel payments.”