By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Leeds MPs are being urged to oppose a government plan to cut pensioners’ winter fuel payments.
The city’s Liberal Democrat group said more than 140,000 pensioners in the Leeds area would lose payments of up to £300.
The move, announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves, Leeds West and Pudsey MP, will limit the payments to only those claiming certain benefits.
The Labour government is facing calls for a U-turn on the plan, set to be voted on in parliament on Tuesday (September 10)).
Leeds Liberal Democrat Leader Stewart Golton said: “Countless pensioners across Leeds are worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter.
“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners in Leeds just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong.
“It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter.”
The Lib Dems said an estimated 141,113 pensioners in and around Leeds would lose the payments.
Coun Golton said the city’s MPs should back a parliamentary motion from his party which would block the plan.
More than ten million pensioners around the country are thought to be affected.
Coun Golton added: “That is why we are urging all MPs who represent Leeds pensioners to back the Lib Dem motion in parliament this week and do everything they can to block these plans which could cause immense financial hardship in our area.”
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer insists the cut – expected to save the Treasury £1.4bn this financial year – is necessary and that his government is “going to have to be unpopular” to create “change”.
There will be be a vote in the House of Commons tomorrow – Labour MPs opposing the move are expected to abstain rather than vote against it and risk suspension from the party.
There are news reports that in order to continue to receive the payment, many pensioners are looking to claim Pensioner Credit now. This is a good thing – well done to the Government.
Can we have a list (with mug shots) of all the local MPs and how they voted? Then we can print it and stick it on the door when they come round in the next local elections.
Only if we can have a list (with mug shots) of all the local MPs and how they voted to not give cash to rich people, so we can once again have the finances for a functioning NHS.
Functioning NHS, don’t make me laugh. More money is not what NHS needs.