Altrincham and Sale West’s Labour MP has faced pensioners’ fury after voting to cut winter fuel payments, a move that will impact nearly 91% of local residents. Currently, of an estimated 17,976 claimants of the winter fuel allowance, only 1,508 people claim pension credit in the area. This means that approx. 16,466 pensioners will lose their winter fuel allowance.
The unnecessary move ignores Labour’s own 2017 report which warned that cutting winter fuel payments could lead to up to 4,000 unnecessary deaths across the country due to increased vulnerability in cold weather.
The significant reduction in support is raising concerns about the well-being of thousands of residents in Altrincham and Sale who rely on these payments to manage their heating costs during the winter months.
Oliver Carroll, who stood for the Conservatives in Altrincham and Sale West at the election, said: “this is a callous and unnecessary move by an out of touch Labour Party. Sadly I am unsurprised that our trade unionist MP is putting pay cheques to his friends in the Unions above the welfare of thousands of local pensioners who will now be forced to choose between eating and heating this winter because of his decision”.
Nathan Evans, leader of Trafford Council Conservative group, says: “This is a kick in the teeth for pensioners who have worked hard and paid in all their lives. So much for the changed Labour Party - this is the same old contempt for residents in Altrincham, Sale and across Trafford to which we have become far too accustomed from Labour”.