Nineteen North East Labour MPs voted to scrap winter fuel payments for pensioners, while six others dodged the vote. 

Only Tory MP Matt Vickers voted to keep the allowance - vital for thousands of old people in the region.

MPs voted 348 to 228 against the Tory motion after a fiery debate this afternoon.

The Father of the House, Sir Edward Leigh, a Conservative former minister, accused the Government of issuing a “punishment beating” against pensioners by cutting the winter fuel payment.

There were 53 abstentions by Labour MPs who decided not to vote either way. 

These included six North East MPs and Rachael Maskell representing Central York.

The six North East MPs were:

  • Mary Kelly Foy - City of Durham
  • Ian Lavery - Blyth and Ashington
  • Kate Osborne - Jarrow and Gateshead East
  • Emma Lewell-Buck - South Shields
  • Andy McDonald - Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
  • Grahame Morris - Easington

Sharon Hodgson was away while the vote was cast and also classed as an abstention.

North Yorkshire MP for York Central Rachael Maskell also abstained. She had made it clear throughout the afternoon debate that she would not be voting with the Government.

The 19 North East MPs who voted with the government to scrap the winter fuel allowance were: 

  • David Smith - North Northumberland
  • Chris McDonald - Stockton North
  • Lola McEvoy - Darlington
  • Lewis Atkinson - Sunderland Central
  • Luke Akehurst - North Durham
  • Bridget Phillipson - Houghton and Sunderland South
  • Chi Onwurah - Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
  • Alan Campbell - Tynemouth
  • Jonathan Brash - Hartlepool
  • Liz Twist - Blaydon and Consett
  • Mark Ferguson - Gateshead Central and Whickham
  • Mary Glindon - Newcastle upon Tyne and Wallsend
  • Emma Foody - Cramlington and Killingworth
  • Joe Morris- Hexham
  • Luke Myer - Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
  • Sam Rushworth - Bishop Auckland
  • Alan Strickland - Newton Aycliffe
  • Anna Turley - Redcar
  • Catherine McKinnell - Newcastle upon Tyne North 

Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary defended the decision and blamed the former administration for "spending like there is no tomorrow".

Backing the decision to end the universal winter fuel payment, Ms Kendall told the Commons: "Put simply, it is because we must fix the foundations of our economy as the first step to rebuilding Britain and making the changes our country desperately needs.

"And because when money is tight, our priority must be to target resources on those who need it most."

Lola McEvoy, Labour MP for Darlington, said: "Labour were elected on a promise of sound public finances - the bedrock required in order to grow our economy and restore our public services. Unfortunately, the Conservatives recklessly left a £22bn black hole in their spending plans and tried to hide it. As the incoming Government, it is our responsibility to fix this, even though it requires making painful choices.

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"Winter fuel payment remains available to those eligible for pension credit and certain other benefits. Around 1,500 eligible people in Darlington are yet to claim this support, so I will be pushing hard to ensure that everyone in my constituency who is entitled to this money receives it.

"For those who do just miss the threshold, there are other schemes they may be eligible for, such as the Household Support Fund administered through the council. I’d encourage anyone who is concerned about their finances and looking for support to contact me and I will try my very best to offer help however I can."