Mims Davies MP highlights how cold weather shows importance of Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners

A huge number of elderly residents in East Grinstead, Uckfield, the villages, and beyond - many of whom live on fixed incomes - are now being faced with the impossible decision between heating their homes and staying warm during these freezing times and affording basic necessities such as eating.

During the election, those closest to Keir Starmer said winter fuel payments would continue if he became Prime Minister and that there were no plans to change eligibility for these benefits.

Under the previous Government, 11.8 million pensioners received up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments.

On top of this, over 1.1 million Cold Weather Payments worth £29.6 million were paid out from November 2023 until the end of March 2024 with over £9 million of this going to low-income pensioners receiving Pension Credit.

Before Christmas, Mims raised in the House the Social Security Advisory Committee concerns, not least around processing Pension Credit and the lack of an impact assessment.

Mims has been clear from the start about her opposition to the cruel policy to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance and will continue to speak out against it as well as closing the debate on the topic in the chamber.

Mims Davies MP said: “Whilst we're facing this cold weather, I'm reminded of the many elderly residents in my constituency and beyond who will be struggling between keeping their houses warm and eating this month.

The allowance, which was a lifeline for many of our elderly residents and family, is essential for keeping homes warm and safe during these harshest months of the year.

This is a stark reminder of how the Labour government is completely out of touch with the realities faced by people.

Please do take a moment or two to check in on your friends, neighbours, family during this cold weather. We must look out for each other as our government aren't doing so.”