New bid to block Labour's Winter Fuel Payments cut as pensioners face £670 hit
The Lib Dems will table a motion calling for a vote in the House of Commons on the plans.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey pushes for U-turn on winter fuel payments
The Liberal Democrats have launched a bid to block Labour's axing of Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners.
Older people will face a £670 hit this winter from the stripping of the payments coupled with rising energy bills, according to analysis by the party.
A motion by the Lib Dems, backed by its 72 MPs, demands a Commons vote on the changes before they come into force next month.
Leader Sir Ed Davey said: “We have heard from countless pensioners worried about how they will afford their energy bills this winter.
"Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners, just when energy bills are set to rise again this winter, is the wrong thing to do.
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“That is why the Liberal Democrats are tabling a motion to reject these plans as soon as Parliament returns, and give MPs a chance to vote on this issue on behalf of their constituents.
“We recognise that the government faces difficult choices given the appalling mess left by the Conservative Party.
"But a rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners continue to get the support they need.”
The Lib Dem analysis of the £670 increased cost for pensioners this winter is made up of £70 from the rising energy price cap, £300 lost from the winter fuel payment and £300 lost from the additional cost of living payment made last year.
Their intervention comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing an intense backlash over her decision to restrict winter fuel payments to only those on pension credit, which she has blamed on a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Conservatives.
The move is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the payment of up to £300 by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving some £1.4 billion this financial year.
The Tories urged the Lib Dems to back their parliamentary motion calling for a Commons vote which was put forward earlier this month.
Opposition chief whip Stuart Andrew said: “The Conservatives have already submitted a Motion to challenge the Government to hold a debate on Winter Fuel Payments. The Liberal Democrats should back those plans.”
The Government has used its powers to lay secondary legislation, which does not require a debate in the House of Commons chamber.
The new rules are due to come into force on September 16.
