Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable MP votes in favour of winter fuel cuts - but local Lib Dems brand plans as 'callous'

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Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable MP Alex Mayer voted in favour of cuts to pensioners' Winter Fuel Payments, with local Liberal Democrats branding the government's decision as "damaging and callous".

A motion on whether to block means-testing to Winter Fuel Payments was held in the House of Commons on Tuesday (September 10), having been called by the Conservative oppostion.

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The Labour government won the vote by 348 votes to 228, with a majority of 120. Labour MP Alex Mayer voted against blocking the cuts - however, when contacted by the LBO, she declined to comment.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Central Bedfordshire Council, Shaun Roberts, claimed: “It’s very disappointing that, at the first time of asking, our new local MP has voted with her party whip rather than stand up for her residents. I urge residents to write to our new MP and let them know what you think.

Left: Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Central Bedfordshire Council, Shaun Roberts, and right, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard Labour MP, Alex Mayer. Images supplied by CBC and Alex Mayer.Left: Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Central Bedfordshire Council, Shaun Roberts, and right, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard Labour MP, Alex Mayer. Images supplied by CBC and Alex Mayer.
Left: Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Central Bedfordshire Council, Shaun Roberts, and right, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard Labour MP, Alex Mayer. Images supplied by CBC and Alex Mayer.

“The damage left by the Conservatives to our economy is unforgivable but cutting payments to vulnerable pensioners across our local area is no way to bring about the change the country needs.

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“The Liberal Democrats in parliament and here in Leighton Buzzard will continue to fight to reverse this damaging and callous policy.”

Government ministers argue the means-testing will help plug "a £22bn black hole" in the public finances left by the Tories.

But the result means that the number of fuel payments will fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million this winter.

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Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, Labour (Co-op) MP for Ealing North, said: "By means-testing winter fuel payments, we know that we will be ending future payments to most pensioners while maintaining our steadfast commitment to protecting those in greatest need.

"Conservative members know exactly why we need to take this step. Because it was Conservative members... who did such damage to our country’s economy and the public finances."

However, Dame Caroline Dinenage, Conservative MP for Gosport, said: "Pensioners in my constituency will be saddened by the way the minister is caricaturing pensioners as wealthy and not in need of this winter fuel support. These are not wealthy people; they are people who, in many cases, are just outside the pension credit limit and are hanging on by their fingertips.

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"Does he agree that caricaturing them as wealthy and not in need is unbelievably insulting?"

Mr Murray replied: "Does she [Dame Dinenage] feel that pensioners who have wealth of over £1 million or who earn more than £41,600 a year should get the winter fuel payment in the context of the financial circumstances?

The argument we are making is that, given the dire economic situation we face... we should means-test the winter fuel payment."

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The winter fuel payments of either £200 or £300 are normally made in November/December. They will still be paid to all pensioners claiming pension credit to top up a low income.

Over 15,000 pensioners across Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard currently receive Winter Fuel Payment.

Writing to the LBO, Councillor Roberts concluded: "When the weather turns cold, pensioners have had the security that the Winter Fuel allowance will enable them to keep the heating on.

“Thousands of pensioners across our communities will be left deeply worried about how they will get by this winter."

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