The Labour Government's vote to means-test Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners has been slammed as "austerity 2.0" by an MP formerly within the party's own ranks.
Zarah Sultana MP has hit back at Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves after the Government's win in the House of Commons earlier this afternoon.
A Conservative motion to annul effectively cutting Winter Fuel Payments lost by 348 votes to 228 in the House of Commons with a majority of 120.
Previously, the benefit was universally given to all pensioners but will now be reserved to those claiming Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Earlier this year, Reeves claimed that "difficult decisions" will need to be made to fill the £22billion "black hole" in public funding left from the Tories.
However, Conservative MPs were among the policymakers who attempted to prevent any means-testing of the energy bill benefit.
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Pension Credit is a benefit reserved for lower income pensioners GETTYSultana, who had the Labour whip removed from her after voting against the "two-child benefit cap", took to social media to share why she believes this to be the wrong policy move by Starmer and the Chancellor.
Notably, she compared it to the policy of austerity which was adopted by Conservative Chancellor George Osborne and saw a sizable amount of cuts to public spending.
The Coventry South MP shared: "We need to defend universalism. Universal benefits like Winter Fuel Payments and demands like Free School Meals for All ensure no-one falls through the cracks.
"It builds solidarity, reminding us that we all belong to the same society & deserve warmth, food security & dignity. I just voted against the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments. I cannot stand idly by and see austerity 2.0 implemented. This is not the change people voted for."
Similarly, Labour backbencher John Trickett MP took aim at the potential impact of means-testing on his constituents.
On X, the Hemsworth MP said: "This winter will be extremely difficult for my constituents of all ages. After years of obscene profiteering by energy companies, they are hiking bills once again.
“I fear that removing the payment from pensioners will mean that many more will fall into poverty this winter. We know that the consequences of pensioner poverty are devastating. It can even be a matter of life and death.
“I have worked behind the scenes to try and change the Government’s position, but to no avail. Our country is richer than it’s ever been, but the wealth is not shared fairly."
In reaction to this afternoon's vote, Age UK's charity director Caroline Abrahams slammed the Government's decision to link eligibility for Winter Fuel Allowance with Pension Credit.
She explained: "It is crystal clear that there is insufficient time to make any serious impact on the miserably low take-up of Pension Credit before the cold sets in this autumn, and the Government has brought forward no effective measures to support all those whose tiny occupational pensions take them just above the line to claim.
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Pensions Minister Liz Kendall has defended Labour's decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment
PA"It's true they have agreed to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) until April and they deserve some credit for that, but the HSF is an all-age fund that you have to apply for, so we know it will only help a small proportion of all the pensioners who will be in need as a result of their policy change."
Prior to the vote, Pensions Minister Liz Kendall MP defended Labour's handling of the Winter Fuel Payment.
“I would say to the faux outrage of members opposite, the faux outrage of members opposite who left 880,000 pensioners, the very poorest, not getting the Pension Credit they’re entitled to," she stated.
“And I would urge all honourable members to work with us and their local councils to make sure pensioners get the money they’re entitled to.”
