Around 21,000 pensioners in Mid and South Pembrokeshire are set to lose up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payments after Labour MPs voted to scrap the scheme in the House of Commons on 10 September.
A total of 347 Labour MPs, including the Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, voted to cut these vital payments, despite warnings that pensioners could be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter.
Following the vote, which only occurred due to significant pressure from the Conservatives, Samuel Kurtz, Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, vowed to continue fighting for vulnerable older people throughout the winter. He also committed to lobbying the Government to reverse its decision, warning that pensioners will not forget Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government's actions while union paymasters enjoy above-inflation pay rises.
Samuel Kurtz MS commented:
“This heartless decision clearly shows where Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government’s priorities lie, and it’s certainly not with the 21,000 pensioners in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.
"Despite knowing that older people will struggle to heat their homes this winter – their own report acknowledged this – Labour MPs still chose to strip pensioners of this vital support.
"It hasn’t taken long for Labour ministers and this Government to reveal their true colours.
"I would have voted against this plan, and I will continue to do everything in my power to support vulnerable pensioners through the challenging winter months ahead."