The MP for the Witham constituency, Priti Patel, can reveal the full impact of Labour’s cruel policy of removing the Winter Fuel Payment from pensioners across Essex.
After grilling the Department for Work and Pensions on the number of pensioners affected, Priti has made the Government admit that around 20,000 pensioners in Witham alone could have their Winter Fuel Payments removed. Priti has also discovered that nearly 320,000 pensioners across the entire County of Essex are set to lose out on the Winter Fuel Payment, which was protected by the previous Conservative Government. Priti who is campaigning against the Labour cut in Winter Fuel Payments is encouraging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit so they can continue to receive support but close to 90% of pensioners will still lose out on the £200 payment for pensioners under 90 and £300 for those aged 80 and over.
Priti said: “These figures that I have obtained from the Labour Government are shocking and deeply disturbing. 20,000 hardworking Witham pensioners who have given so much to our community and country, are being discarded by this cruel government. At a time when energy costs are rising, this Government should be protecting our parents and grandparents. Instead, they are making them chose in many cases, whether or not to heat their homes or eat. This policy demonstrates the attitude and lack of respect that this Labour Government has towards our pensioners.”
