Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, to reverse the proposed cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) ahead of next week’s Budget Speech in the House of Commons.
In a letter to the Chancellor, Mark highlighted the concerns of around 300 of his constituents, who have voiced their alarm over the decision to significantly reduce eligibility for the WFA. Mark stated, “Even if there were grounds to restrict eligibility for the Winter Fuel Allowance, capping it at the Pension Credit level of approximately £13,000 per year is far too low. This risks excluding up to ten million pensioners from this essential benefit, while train drivers have been awarded a substantial pay increase."
Mark further argued that the savings from restricting the WFA could be largely negated by the increased costs in Pension Credit payments, calling the move "a false economy" that has already caused distress to many long-time taxpayers. Mark went to HM Treasury, to personally deliver his letter, along with the 300 emails he received from concerned constituents.
Commenting on the issue, Mark said:
“This is a deliberate political decision taken by the Chancellor—to award significant pay rises to already well-paid train drivers, whilst leaving some of the most vulnerable in my constituency and across the country without this crucial lifeline as winter approaches- so I urge the Chancellor to reverse this decision. "
