After the House of Commons voted to continue providing the Winter Fuel Allowance to only the most vulnerable pensioners, I wrote the following letter to my constituents:
To the residents of Ipswich,
During the election campaign, I promised honesty, transparency, and leadership if elected as your Member of Parliament. That is why I wanted to write to you with regards to this afternoon’s difficult vote to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance.
I fully appreciate that this is an emotive issue, and that some people will disagree with the Government’s decision to target winter fuel payments to the poorest pensioners. This is certainly a decision that I did not want to make after being elected, but, given the circumstances, I believe it to be the right course of action.
The previous Conservative government left our new Labour administration with the worst inheritance since the Second World War. Their unfunded spending commitments left a £22 billion black hole in the public finances, which they previously looked to cover up.
This is not an abstract bit of economics. When Liz Truss and the Conservatives lost control of the public finances, it was ordinary people, including pensioners, who paid the price through higher mortgages, rents and bills.
So, for all the political spin coming from the Conservative Party, remember the fault for the state of our public finances lies squarely and uniquely with them. Behind their pointed fingers and inflammatory speeches lie the true culprits for the tough decisions ahead. Losing an election does not wipe the slate clean.
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has been clear that this blatant economic recklessness should never again be repeated. Unfortunately, in the short-term, this means taking decisions the Government did not want to take, including today’s vote.
In discussions with colleagues and local people, I have repeatedly emphasised that our new Labour government was elected on a mandate of change; to ensure that opportunity is spread across the country, to ensure our public services are rebuilt, and to ensure a growing economy that works for ordinary people.
I, and the Government, are fully committed to fulfilling that mandate, but, secure finances precondition that change. If any government is serious about cleaning up the state the Conservatives left our country in, then it cannot afford to duck the tough decisions.
With that being said, pensioners in Ipswich, especially the poorest pensioners, will still be better off at the end of this Parliament than at its start. The Government is committed to the triple lock on pensions, which saw state pensions rise by over £900 this year, and the Chancellor is expected to announce a further rise of £450 at the Budget on 30th October. By the end of the Parliament, the state pension is expected to have risen by over £1000.
As well as targeting winter fuel payments for the pensioners who need them most, the Government is also committed to slashing fuel poverty through its Warm Homes Plan, a strategy which will upgrade millions of homes, including those of pensioners, during this Parliament.
Additionally, to help those just above the threshold of Pension Credit, the government has extended the Household Support Fund for another six months, providing a further £500 million of targeted support.
Under the last Conservative government, over 800,000 pensioners didn’t claim the benefits they were entitled to. This includes Pension Credit, the receipt of which entitles you to the Winter Fuel Allowance. The Labour government is acting where the Conservatives failed, with a renewed push to help the most vulnerable pensioners claim the support they are entitled to. In the last five weeks, claims for Pension Credit have more than doubled.
Over the coming months, my team and I will be working to ensure that people who are eligible for Pension Credit are able to claim it, so they too can receive winter fuel payments.
I would encourage Ipswich residents to check their eligibility for Pension Credit at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility or by calling the Pension Credit claim line at 0800 99 1234, and encourage friends and family to do the same.
While I am sure that this Labour government will follow in the footsteps of Labour governments past, tackling pensioner poverty and ensuring security in retirement, it does not mean today’s vote was an easy one.
But, I know that our Government is committed to taking the tough decisions needed to stabilise our country’s public finances, spread opportunity across the country, and rebuild our public services, all while ensuring the poorest pensioners get the extra support they need.
Even if you disagree with my decision, I hope you can understand my position, and my need to be honest with you all about the challenges we face as a country.
Kind regards,
Jack
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