Millions of pensioners are set to lose winter fuel payments this year after an attempt to block the cuts failed in Parliament. The government won a vote on the plan to restrict the payments to all but the poorest pensioners by 348 votes to 228 – a majority of 120.
Fifty-two Labour MPs did not take part in the vote, including seven ministers, but it is not clear how many deliberately abstained or were absent from Parliament for another reason. Only one Labour MP, Jon Trickett, voted against the government, on what he said could “be a matter of life and death” for his constituents.
The vote was called by the Conservative opposition, who put forward a motion to block the government’s plans to means-test the benefits. Shouts of “shame” were heard in the Commons chamber as the result was announced, which will mean the number of fuel payments will fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million this winter.
Dozens of Labour MPs were reported to have been planning to abstain in protest at the cuts despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves urging them to back the government.
Labour sources said 12 of the MPs absent for Tuesday’s vote had not been authorised. However, BBC News has found that around 20 of those who did not vote have previously publicly expressed opposition to the policy – for instance in interviews or on social media. Several others have not expressed a view publicly and have not replied to requests for comment.
Source: BBC
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