Calling Out Winter Fuel Payment Cuts

I hear from residents across Newbury and West Berkshire who relied on the Winter Fuel Payment to help make ends meet. For many, this support is not a luxury, it’s a lifeline. It helps people stay warm, avoid illness, and reduce anxiety as heating bills soar.

It has been incredibly frustrating to watch this Government slash support and spend nearly a year pretending nothing’s wrong. After a bruising set of local elections and mounting public pressure, the Chancellor has finally admitted she’s “listening” to the concerns being raised. Frankly, that’s not good enough.

I’ve been raising this for months, alongside my Liberal Democrat colleagues, making it clear just how damaging this decision has been. In surgeries, letters, and emails, I’ve heard from pensioners who are genuinely worried about having to choose between heating and eating. These stories are heartbreaking and avoidable.

The Chancellor says she understands. But the time for vague promises is over. We need a proper plan to restore Winter Fuel Payment support and prevent this from happening again.

This is about dignity. It’s about ensuring our older residents are not punished for the cost-of-living crisis they didn’t create. I’ll keep fighting to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear in Westminster.