Tories demand Labour apologize for winter fuel payment cuts

The Conservative Party is calling for the government to apologize for cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners. Shadow minister Helen Whatley claims many pensioners now face tough choices between heating their homes and buying food. This comes after the government decided to means test the winter fuel payments, limiting who can receive them. Under the new rules, pensioners earning more than £11,500 a year, or £17,500 for couples, will no longer get the universal £300 payment. Instead, only those receiving specific benefits will qualify. Age UK reports that over 80% of pensioners living near the poverty line will lose this support. Disabled pensioners are also affected, with 71% no longer eligible. Whatley criticized the government’s decision as harmful to vulnerable pensioners. She highlighted that the cuts leave around one million of the most vulnerable people without help during winter. Conservative MP Dame Harriett Baldwin pointed out that even terminally ill pensioners are being affected by the payment cuts. While some Conservatives support means testing for wealthier recipients, they believe the current policy goes too far. Former minister Andrew Murrison stressed that removing aid from the poorest pensioners is unacceptable. Labour's work and pensions minister, Torsten Bell, defended the government's actions, saying they had to make responsible financial decisions. He noted that recent mortality data shows deaths this winter are down, despite concerns about the impact of removing winter fuel payments. The Liberal Democrats accused the government of balancing the budget at the expense of pensioners. They called for a new social tariff to help both struggling pensioners and those on benefits. Bell stated that the government remains committed to improving pensioners' lives and managing public finances responsibly. He acknowledged the economic challenges facing the nation but said tough choices are necessary.