Thousands of Watford pensioners will lose their fuel allowance this winter after a majority of MPs sided with the government in a key vote.

The town’s Labour MP Matt Turmaine was among 348 members of Parliament who rejected a Tory bid to axe the changes in the House of Commons this afternoon (September 10). There were 228 votes in favour of the motion.

Mr Turmaine had previously said he would support the government’s controversial policy in the whipped vote in what he called a “difficult decision”.

MP Matt Turmaine previosly said he would support the government's policy in what he called a difficult decision.MP Matt Turmaine previosly said he would support the government's policy in what he called a difficult decision. (Image: Watford Labour) 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 this winter.

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

MPs hearing the outcome of the vote.MPs hearing the outcome of the vote. (Image: PA) The Conservative MPs for South West Hertfordshire and Hertsmere, Gagan Mohindra and Oliver Dowden, both supported the Tory motion to keep the allowance, while Hemel Hempstead's Labour MP David Taylor sided with the government.

Labour MP Jon Trickett (Normanton and Hemsworth) rebelled to vote for the motion, while no vote was recorded for 53 Labour representatives, although this was not necessarily an abstention as they may have received permission to miss the ballot.