Andrew Rosindell MP has issued a scathing criticism of the Labour Government’s decision to remove the long-standing Winter Fuel Payment, a move that will impact over 10 million pensioners across the U.K. Speaking out following his front-page article in the *Daily Express*, the Romford MP warned of the devastating effects this policy change will have on the nation’s elderly population, particularly those already living in poverty.
The Winter Fuel Payment, a vital support system for pensioners to keep their homes warm during the coldest months, has been in place for 26 years. Mr Rosindell has expressed outrage over the Labour Government’s abrupt removal of the benefit, accusing the leadership of heartlessly abandoning pensioners without warning or providing any sufficient alternatives. This decision, he argues, has left many of the most vulnerable people in the country facing a “terrifying prospect of choosing between a warm home, essential social care costs, or food on their plate.”
As the Member of Parliament for Romford, a constituency with the highest population of over-65s in Greater London, Mr Rosindell has seen firsthand the anxiety and distress this decision is causing. “I have received hundreds of letters from elderly people who are now stricken with worry over how this will affect their health, warmth, and their quality of life,” said Mr Rosindell. “It cannot be right that those who have worked all their lives, and in many cases, served their country, are now fighting just to stay warm in their own homes.”
He also criticised Labour’s 2024 manifesto for making no mention of the Winter Fuel Payment, describing it as a deliberate betrayal of pensioners. “Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves had clearly planned to betray our pensioners long before the 4th of July,” Rosindell stated. “This harrowing decision will cause hardship for so many of our senior citizens who never expected to be hit so hard in the pocket by such ‘caring, sharing’ socialists!”
Mr Rosindell went on to accuse the Labour Government of prioritising inflation-busting pay rises for the public sector at the expense of the elderly, suggesting this decision was made to appease union leaders while leaving pensioners out in the cold—both literally and figuratively.
“This is a vindictive move by the Labour Party, who claim to be addressing an economic ‘black hole’ that has conveniently appeared since they took office. Yet, at the same time, they are handing out pay rises to the public sector while leaving pensioners in the cold. It’s a disgrace,” said Mr Rosindell.
In closing, Andrew vowed to continue fighting for pensioners’ rights. “Our pensioners deserve better, and I will continue to stand up for them. This cruel decision must be reversed, and those who have contributed so much to society must be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The cruel decision taken by this new Labour Government, has left our nation’s pensioners facing the terrifying prospect of choosing between a warm home, essential social care costs, or food on their plate. After spending the majority of their lives working for the good of future generations and contributing to society, they are being rewarded by having one of their key support systems ripped away from under them, with no prior warning, and little reassurance of any additional measures being introduced. The Winter Fuel Payment has been in place now for 26 years and its removal will affect over 10 million of our pensioners; with almost 20% of these already living under the poverty line.
As Member of Parliament for Romford in Essex, where I have lived all my life, we have the highest population of over-65s across Greater London. I have received hundreds of letters from elderly people who are now stricken with worry over how this will affect their health, warmth, and their quality of life. It cannot be right that those who have worked all their lives, and in many cases, served their country, are now fighting just to stay warm in their own homes. It is a vindictive move by the Labour Party, who blame this decision on the economic ‘black hole’ which has magically appeared since taking office! It is highly suspect that the 2024 Labour Manifesto was the first in fourteen years to make no mention of the Winter Fuel Payment at all. It is entirely obvious to all that this was not a decision made recently. Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves had clearly planned to betray our pensioners long before the 4th of July. It is a heartless move by the left to abandon our elderly, struggling to keep warm this winter, but at the same time, hand over inflation busting pay rises to the public sector to appease their union masters. It seems that in this new Labour era there will be no regard for the older generation. This harrowing decision will cause hardship for so many of our senior citizens who never expected to be hit so hard in the pocket by such ‘caring, sharing’ socialists! Our pensioners deserve better, and I will continue to stand up for them.
Andrew Rosindell M.P., Member of Parliament for Romford
