"I completely disagree with the Labour Government’s decision, which will affect thousands of pensioners across Castle Point. I believe the decisions taken by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have been entirely wrong and unfair. The choice to means-test eligibility for the Winter Fuel Allowance will mean losses of up to £300 for around 10 million pensioners.
The Conservative Party is completely against this plan. My colleagues and I are actively lobbying the Chancellor to rethink her decision. If Labour’s proposals are put in front of Parliament, I will vote against them. There was no requirement for the Labour Government to do this."
Dame Rebecca Harris MP, August 2024
Labour Ministers have claimed to have inherited the worst set of circumstances since the Second World War in their attempt to justify this raid on pensioner’s incomes by taking away the Winter Fuel Payment from 10 million pensioners. Yet when the Conservatives took over from Labour in 2010, the economy was in a much worse state.
In 2010 unemployment was at 8% - the Conservatives nearly halved it to 4.4%; the deficit was 10.3% of GDP - it is now 4.4% and is forecast to fall to 1.2%; Inflation was at 3.4% and today it is back at 2%. After 14 years of a Conservative Government Labour inherited the fastest-growing economy in the G7, low inflation, low unemployment and 12 months of consecutive wage growth.
Despite claiming a black hole in the public finances, the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already spent £8.3 billion of taxpayers’ money on a public energy company, £7.3 billion on a national wealth fund and around £10 billion on inflation busting public sector pay deals, without asking for any improvements in productivity in return. I believe it is entirely wrong to make pensioners pay for these decisions.
It was the Conservative Government who introduced the Triple Lock in 2011, which I voted for. The State Pension was uprated by 8.5% in April, meaning pensioners received up to a £900 cash boost. This follows a 10% increase in 2022/23. Since April, the basic State Pension has risen by £3,736 since 2010, ensuring pensioners’ have the income they need to live in dignity.
The Labour Government laid The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 to enact these changes to the Winter Fuel Payments on 22nd August. Under Parliamentary procedure the Government does not have to provide time for this to be debated, despite the heavy criticism. A survey this week found that 59% of people are against this cut.
The Conservative Party have taken the steps to submit 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. These regulations also reveals that the Labour Government have taken this decision despite there not being a full impact assessment produced as “no, or no significant, impact on the private, public or voluntary sectors is foreseen.” The motion has been signed by Rishi Sunak MP, Jeremy Hunt MP, Mel Stride MP and Claire Coutinho MP.
Rebecca stood on a manifesto at the recent general election that was committed to the Triple Lock Plus, which would have introduced a new age-related personal allowance that meant pensioners never paid tax on their state pension. On current plans, Labour will drag the state pension into income tax for the first time in history and should this happen, Rebecca will oppose this.
Finally, as the Winter Fuel Payment is set to be means-tested and delivered to those on Pension Credit, Rebecca wants to make sure every single pensioner in Castle Point who is eligible is receiving this. Rebecca has long campaigned for the uptake of Pension Credit, as many people assume it is automatic and that you don’t have to apply for it so they never check, only to discover they can receive thousands of pounds in support when they do. The DWP estimates that £1.7 billion of Pension Credit went unclaimed in 2021/22.
Pension Credit, which can mean over £3,900 support a year, is there for those above State Pension age and on a low income to lend a hand with your everyday expenses - boosting your weekly earnings and giving you access to extra benefits. Even if you have checked in the past - PLEASE CHECK AGAIN - to see if you are eligible now. You can check your eligibility and make a claim by calling: 0800 99 1234 Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm. Or by visiting: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim Please share this information with anybody you know over the state pension age as they may be eligible.
Rebecca is deeply concerned that the Chancellor has publicly stated that taxes will rise in the Autumn Budget and the impact this will have on residents across Castle Point and will continue to push for lower taxes and continue to press the Government to protect pensioners.