Gregory Stafford MP has welcomed a major U-turn by the Labour Government on Winter Fuel Payments, calling it a "hard-won success for thousands of local pensioners” and a sign that “public pressure can still force change.”
Following months of campaigning, Gregory and his Conservative colleagues have secured a reversal to the Government’s decision to drastically scale back the Winter Fuel Allowance – a move he previously labelled “cruel” and “callous.”
The original cut, which went ahead without any mention in Labour’s General Election manifesto, saw support withdrawn from millions of pensioners over winter 2024/25. More than 18,000 older people in the Farnham and Bordon constituency were affected by the change.
Now, following significant public backlash and Parliamentary pressure from the Conservatives, the Chancellor has confirmed that around 9 million pensioners will once again receive the payment – up from just 1.5 million last year. Anyone earning under £35,000 is now eligible.
In a written update to constituents, Gregory said the U-turn is “a direct response to the overwhelming public outrage against Labour’s cruel cuts that plunged thousands of pensioners into fuel poverty last winter.”
National figures show the consequences of the cut were severe: over 50,000 people fell into poverty, and an additional 100,000 pensioners required A&E treatment over the winter months.
Gregory continued:
“The Labour Government’s callousness forced vulnerable pensioners to choose between heating and eating, a disgrace for any government.
These are people who have paid into the system their whole lives and deserve far better than being abandoned when they need support the most.”
Since the changes were first announced last year, Gregory has repeatedly challenged the policy in Parliament and across the constituency. He co-sponsored a motion to oppose the relevant legislation, wrote to the Secretary of State, and hosted a ‘Super Pensioner Surgery’ in Grayshott with Age UK, Citizens Advice and local councillors to gather evidence of the impact locally.
“This victory belongs to the thousands of residents who added their voice to our campaign,” Gregory added.
“It shows that even in Opposition, we can stand up for our communities – and win.”
