Winter fuel payments: Readers react to Basingstoke MP vote

As previously reported, Luke Murphy, who won the Basingstoke seat for Labour on July 4, voted for the party's proposed removal of the winter fuel payment for some pensioners.

The vote, held at 3pm on September 10, saw a Conservative motion to annul the Government's cuts defeated by 348 votes to 228 with a majority of 120, in the House of Commons.

On Facebook, the Gazette asked readers 'What do you think about the cuts?' - a question which received more than 100 responses.

READ MORE: Basingstoke's MP votes to cut winter fuel allowance for pensioners

Luke Murphy with Keir Starmer in Basingstoke (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)

One reader called the decision "disgraceful", adding: "He certainly won’t be getting my vote in the next local election."

Another reader expressed their distaste, stating that "People in prison get treated better than pensioners, [there is] free heating etc in prisons".

A third reader agreed, stating it is an "Absolute disgrace, Labour [is] heading towards a slippery slope already".

On the other hand, there were some readers who defended the decision, with one commenting: "I would prefer well-off pensioners didn’t receive the winter fuel allowance so that ALL pensioners (and everyone else) can have a better NHS and social care."

Another argued that those who aren't as well off as others will still receive the payment. They said: "The most vulnerable will still get the payment, many richer people really don't need it."

In contrast, a different reader said: "Labour act like this action is unavoidable. What they save in heating bills, they're paying for, in increased hospital admissions, further strains on the NHS and mental health issues. This new Labour is devoid of empathy and decency."

Another added: "Shame they didn't mention this before the election."

In the comment section of the Gazette article online, readers also expressed their opinions.

One said: "This is not what I voted for. Sounds like Maria all over again."

Another added: "Labour talk about the black hole in the economy which the Tories spent 14 years digging in the pursuit of austerity. Now it appears the Labour party has jumped into the hole and carried on digging."

The payments, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions, were first introduced in 1997 for pensioners in the UK to help with the cost of heating bills.

However, plans announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July would see the winter fuel payment limited to only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

In Basingstoke, more than 30,000 pensioners were eligible for the annual payment before cuts were announced, but under the new restrictions, 28,000 won't receive the payment. 

In a statement made by Luke Murphy on social media, the politician said voting to cut services 'isn't a decision I wanted to make'.

He added that he appreciates there are 'people who fall just outside the pension credit threshold but can't be described as well-off who will be affected by this decision'.

"You may not be satisfied with my answer, but I hope you understand the position we've been forced into and appreciate that I am doing what I can to ensure those pensioners who really need this support are still able to get it," Mr Murphy concluded.

Labour claims the cuts are expected to save the Government more than £1.4billion this financial year with the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment this year reduced by 10 million.