Solihull West and Shirely MP, Dr. Shastri-Hurst has signed the Early Day Motion (EDM) submitted to the Table Office against the Winter Fuel Payment cuts.
The Government laid The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 Statutory Instrument (SI) on the 22nd August.
Under Parliamentary procedure the Government does not have to provide time for the SI to be debated, despite the heavy criticism of Labour for announcing it would cut the Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners. A survey this week found that 59% of people are against this cut.
Rishi Sunak MP, Jeremy Hunt MP, Mel Stride MP and Claire Coutinho MP have submitted this Early Day Motion to ensure that this matter is debated before Parliament, allowing Members of Parliament to put forward the views of many of their constituents.
The SI also reveals that the Labour Government have taken this decision to hit pensioners despite there not being a full impact assessment produced for this instrument.
Speaking after signing the EDM, Dr. Neil Shastri-Hurst MP said:
I am deeply concerned about Labour's plans to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance for most pensioners. The Government's approach is ill-conceived and will fail to achieve its intended objectives.
I have received numerous letters from constituents who will be directly affected as a result of this policy. The proposals will only serve to attack the most vulnerable in society. There are countless pensioners who sit just outside the criteria for receiving pension credits, yet struggle financially, who will be severely affected by the Labour Government's decision.
