THE SNP have called on the Conservatives to use opposition debate time to hold a fresh vote on the UK Government’s Winter Fuel Payment cut.
Despite huge losses at the English local elections and reports suggesting ministers were reconsidering the cut, Number 10 insisted they would not be reversing the deeply unpopular policy.
The benefit was previously available to almost everyone in the UK who was of state pension age to help cover their heating costs.
However, from last winter only those on Pension Credit or means-tested benefits will get the Winter Fuel Payment, £200 or £300 for people aged over 80.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn MP said the outcome of the English local elections, where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK won a historic number of seats, showed "the public have had their say - these damaging cuts must go now".
In a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch, he said a vote on reinstating the Winter Fuel Payment, including a free vote for Labour backbenchers, will be a key test of whether “Labour are actually prepared to listen or if they are instead preparing to go further and faster with their cuts.”
Flynn wrote: “The shameful removal of the winter fuel allowance, previously received by and depended on by millions of pensioners, has become a defining issue since this UK Government took office last year and it is at the very heart as to why the public has rapidly lost trust in a Labour Party that promised ‘change’.
“That collapse in trust was confirmed in the first major electoral test faced by the UK government since last July, with their loss of a massive percentage share of votes and seats in the English local elections.
“Unsurprisingly, report after report from those elections confirmed that Labour’s removal of the winter fuel allowance came up for canvassers at doorstep after doorstep. The public have had their say – these damaging cuts must go now.”
“If the Labour Party stubbornly refuse to listen to voters, then it is time that they were forced to listen to a democratic decision of the House of Commons,” he added.
“The earliest opportunity to have a fresh vote will come this Tuesday, during the opposition day scheduled for the official opposition.
“That will allow a straight vote on reinstating the winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners - as Leader of the Opposition, I would strongly urge you to take that opportunity.”
Addressing the Prime Minister, Flynn urged him to allow a free vote for Labour MPs, of which a growing number have criticised the cut.
“Ultimately, this will vote would be a key test if the Labour Party are actually prepared to listen or if they are instead preparing to go further and faster with their cuts,” Flynn added.
As you will both be aware, in Scotland the SNP government has done the right thing by pensioners and will reinstate a winter fuel payment this coming winter – it’s time that Westminster voted to follow our leadership.”
The benefit cut was set to impact 900,000 pensioners in Scotland.
However, the Scottish Government will introduce a universal Winter Fuel Payment to all Scottish pensioners next winter.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Winter Fuel Payments are a devolved benefit in Scotland.
“This Government is committed to supporting pensioners with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1900 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock.
“We have successfully boosted Pension Credit applications, with the Department receiving around 105,000 extra applications since the previous year and awarding nearly 50,000 extra claims over the same period and we continue to take action to encourage further take-up of Pension Credit.”
The Conservatives have been contacted for comment.
