Surge in support for petition demanding Labour reverse 'callous' winter fuel payment move
Nearly 100,000 people have backed the campaign - add your signature to the growing calls!
Esther McVey makes speech in House of Commons over winter fuel cuts
Nearly 100,000 people have backed a petition demanding the Labour government reverse its “callous” decision to axe the winter fuel payment for millions of pensioners.
More than 96,000 Britons have so far supported the cause ahead of a crunch vote tomorrow.
Petition creator Dennis Reed, the director of over 60s campaign group Silver Voices, said: “Some older people will lose their lives from cold-related conditions if this cruel policy goes through.”
Rachel Reeves’ decision to scrap the £300 payment for nearly 10 million older people could put two million pensioners in dire straits this winter, charities have warned.
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Deaths from hypothermia and other cold-related causes will undoubtedly increase, they added.
Mr Reed said: “We call on the Government to reverse its callous decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for 10 million older people from this year.
“Only the small minority of pensioners on pension credit will continue to receive energy support to help them keep warm during the winter.
“To qualify for pension credit and a host of other benefits, older people have to have an income of less than £218 per week (for a single person), which means that almost anyone with a small private pension is disqualified.”
Labour is facing a backbench rebellion in the Commons over the decision.
Ms Reeves was set to address a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party tonight ahead of the vote in an effort to address her MPs’ concerns.
-To sign the petition, visit this link.
