The Labour Party’s recent decision to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from millions of pensioners had sparked outrage across the nation. Among the most vocal critics was Mike Wood MP, a staunch advocate for the elderly and vulnerable.
Around 21,365 pensioners in Kingswinford and South Staffordshire will now lose up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payment after Labour MPs voted to scrap the scheme in the House of Commons on 10 September.
In total, 347 Labour MPs, Dudley MP Sonia Kumar voted to cut the payments, despite warnings that pensioners would be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter. After the vote, which only came about after strong pressure from Conservatives, Mike Wood MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire said they would continue to fight to help protect vulnerable older people during the winter and will lobby the Government to change their plans. And said he hoped pensioners would not forget the decision by Keir Starmer and his Labour Government while their union paymasters enjoyed above inflation pay rises.
Mike Wood said:
“This heartless decision just shows clearly where Keir Starmer and his Labour Government have fixed their priorities and it is not with the 21,365 pensioners who live here in Kingswinford and South Staffordshire.
”Despite knowing older people will be struggling to pay to heat their homes this winter–their own report said so –Labour MPs still decided to take this money away from pensioners. “It has not taken long for Labour ministers and this Government to reveal their true colours. I voted against this plan and will continue to support vulnerable pensioners through the winter months as best as I can.”
