MP Matt Turmaine to vote to scrap winter fuel payments

The Labour government had resisted holding a vote on the cut to the annual allowance when it was revealed in July, but Commons leader Lucy Powell has now announced it will be debated on September 10 followed by a vote.

Data shows around 10,000 elderly people in Watford - 88 per cent of those previously eligible - will not receive the £200 annual allowance to help heat their homes, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Labour MP Matt Turmaine said: "Making the difficult decision to provide the Winter Fuel Allowance only to those pensioners who receive Pension Credit isn’t one I or anyone wants to take, of course not. 

MP Matt Turmaine said the decision wasn't one I or anyone wants to take. (Image: Watford Labour)

“I expect it to be a whipped vote and therefore will be supporting the government.”

A “whipped vote” means members of parliament are pressured to vote in line with their party or risk being suspended or even expelled.

Around 1,400 will continue to receive the money this winter as they are eligible for Pension Credit or another means-tested benefit.

Around 10,000 Watford pensioners will lose the £200 annual payment.

Watford residents have branded the move “absolutely disgraceful” and warned they may be forced to move house this winter as money will be “very tight”.

PM Sir Keir Starmer also faced shouts of “shame” from Tory MPs in the House of Commons on Wednesday (September 4) as he defended the policy.

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Mr Turmaine said a “£22 billion black hole” from the previous Conservative government meant the UK’s finances were in a “shocking state”.

Sir Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday. “When you’re in a hole you must stop digging, or it just gets worse,” he added. “If we don’t tackle it, the budget deficit would grow by 25 per cent. That’s unsustainable.”

The MP said he supports maintaining the triple lock on state pensions and wants to see more people to receive Pension Credit so they are still eligible for the fuel allowance.

It will take time to fix the foundations of our country,” he added. “That’s what’s got to happen now to get Britain on a sound footing again and our economy back on track."