How Welsh MPs Voted on Keir Starmer’s Cut to Winter Fuel Allowance for Pensioners
MPs in Wales recently voted on a proposed cut to the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. The plan would restrict the allowance to only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits, significantly reducing the number of recipients from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. The Labour government asserts that this change will save approximately £1.4 billion this year.
Before the vote, Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds defended the government’s decision, stating that there was no alternative. He dismissed concerns that stripping the allowance from all but the poorest pensioners could lead to deaths from cold this winter, assuring the public that the state pension is higher than last year and energy costs are lower.
The opposition, on the other hand, criticized the rushed nature of the policy implementation, with shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride accusing Labour of failing to thoroughly consider the consequences. Despite efforts by MPs to block the cut in the House of Commons, the government ultimately prevailed with 348 MPs supporting the measure and 228 opposing.
Summary of Wales MPs’ Votes on Winter Fuel Allowance Cut:
- Labour MPs:
- 24 Supported the cut
- 4 Did not vote
- Plaid Cymru MPs:
- Attempted to block the change
- Liberal Democrat MP:
- Attempted to block the cut
The breakdown of Welsh MPs’ votes on the motion to oppose the reduction in pensioners’ winter fuel allowance is as follows:
- Plaid Cymru:
- For: Ann Davies, Ben Lake, and Liz Savile Roberts
- Labour:
- Against: Multiple MPs including Nia Griffith, Gerald Jones, and Anna McMorrin
- Did not vote: Several MPs including Jo Stevens, Tonia Antoniazzi, and Nick Thomas-Symonds
- Liberal Democrat:
- For: David Chadwick
The vote outcome reflects the different stances taken by Welsh MPs on this contentious issue, with a majority ultimately supporting the government’s decision to limit the winter fuel allowance.