by Andrew Spence
Three East Yorkshire MPs will present a petition outside Downing Street next week calling for the protection of the Winter Fuel Payment.
Conservative MPs Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness), Charlie Dewhirst (Bridlington and the Wolds), and David Davis (Goole and Pocklington) will present their Keep Our Pensioners Warm petition which has been signed by more than 1,000 East Riding residents to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, on Tuesday, November 5, at her 11 Downing Street residence.
Shortly after becoming Chancellor earlier in the year, Ms Reeves announced major changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. Instead of being handed out to all those over 65, the payment would now be means-tested, only being given to those on Pension Credit.
This policy has proved to be highly controversial with many suggesting it will cause thousands of pensioners to struggle this winter.
Mr Stuart has spoken of his distain for the government’s policy. He said: “It’s not acceptable to people in the East Riding that older people are being targeted by taking away their Winter Fuel Payments.
“East Riding says ‘No’ to this cruel cut. That’s why over 1,100 people have signed my petition, and I’m looking forward to presenting the petition to the Chancellor, alongside my East Riding colleagues Sir David Davis MP and Charlie Dewhirst MP, on Tuesday.”
The three East Yorkshire MPs will be following in the footsteps of some of their Conservative colleagues such as the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, who on Wednesday, October 30, met outside Parliament to present a similar petition which had been signed by about 250,000 people.
Age UK has also urged the Government to do a U-turn and keep winter fuel payments for all older people, regardless of income, reports the Mirror.
In response, a Government spokesperson said: “We will do everything possible to support vulnerable families this winter – including with the £150 Warm Home Discount expected to support three million eligible households, while around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive up to £300 in winter fuel payments.”
