Conservatives urge Hertford and Stortford Labour MP Josh Dean to vote against Government cuts to winter fuel payments for OAPs

Conservatives are calling on Bishop’s Stortford’s Labour MP to vote against the Government’s plan to scrap the winter fuel payment for the vast majority of pensioners.

Hertford and Stortford Tories have launched a petition for residents to lobby Josh Dean to rebel against “this shameful decision”.

The Government is to allow a vote next Tuesday (Sept 10) on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to limit the winter fuel allowance to the poorest pensioners.

Until now, tax-free payments worth between £100 and £300 have been made available to everyone above state pension age in the UK.

Hertford and Stortford Conservatives say Mr Dean should “stand up” for his elderly constituents and vote against the Government.

They fear restricting the payment to those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits “threatens to leave millions of vulnerable pensioners without the financial support they rely on during the coldest months”.

East Herts district councillor Diane Hollebon, the Tory member for Bishop’s Stortford South, said: “The winter fuel payment has been a lifeline for so many pensioners in our community, helping them to stay warm and healthy through the winter.

“The proposal to means-test this support will hit our most vulnerable pensioners hardest, especially those who just miss out on pension credit.

“In East Hertfordshire alone, 24,781 pensioners could lose their winter fuel payment, forcing them to choose between heating their homes and other essential needs.

“We strongly urge Josh Dean MP to listen to his constituents and vote against this damaging policy.”

Mr Dean responded: “The Chancellor has been forced to set out difficult steps to stabilise the public finances after the previous Conservative administration knowingly made a series of unfunded spending commitments, leaving a £22 billion black hole behind.

“This includes the difficult decision on winter fuel payments; this is not a decision the Government wanted or expected to make, but by taking the tough decisions to stabilise the public finances now we can fix the foundations of our economy and begin the process of delivering change.

“I appreciate why residents in our community will be upset about the changes to winter fuel payments. There were no easy options, but not acting was not an option.

“This Government is under no illusions that had no action been taken to correct the dire inheritance left by the previous administration, the country’s financial stability would have been put at risk. This Government was not prepared to let that happen.”

Mr Dean added: “We know that 880,000 pensioners are not claiming the pension credit to which they are rightly entitled, and this could be worth up to an extra £3,900 a year in retirement.”

He urged constituents to visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibillity or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 991 234 to check their eligibility.

He said: “The Government is extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months because it is a lifeline for those struggling with the cost of living and we are protecting the triple lock on pensions, which saw the new state pension rise by £900 in April. A further increase in the state pension will be announced at the budget in October, benefitting millions of pensioners.

“My number one priority is to ensure that everyone in Hertford and Stortford eligible for pension credit is able to claim it.”

Mr Dean said his team would support anyone with benefit concerns and urged constituents to contact his office for help by emailing josh.dean.mp@parliament.uk.

To sign the Conservatives’ petition, see https://www.hertfordandstortfordconservatives.org/campaigns/protect-our-pensioners-save-winter-fuel-payment.