Durham Labour MP Mary Foy calling for winter fuel U-turn

Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy abstained from a vote on the matter in the House of Commons earlier this month, instead writing to Chancellor Rachel Reeves asking her to consider pausing the move.

She confirmed wants to see the move, which would see more than 85% of those in County Durham who received the £300 payment last winter lose it this year, reversed.

It comes as councillors on Durham County Council voted for a motion calling on the government to U-turn on the fuel payment cut on Wednesday (September 25).

Delegates at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool also voted for a union-backed motion to reinstate the payment on Wednesday, amid fears thousands of pensioners could face a choice between heating and eating.  People not in receipt of Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will lose out under the changes.

Mary Kelly Foy told the Echo: “My constituents have shared their fears with me about the changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Mary Kelly Foy speaking after being re-elected as MP for the City of Durham in July. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

“I share their concerns, which is why I have asked the Chancellor to reverse the decision.

“Older people are not responsible for the chaos, corruption, and scandal that we saw under Conservative-led governments for fourteen years.

“They should not be expected to take on the burden of the Tory’s economic mismanagement; instead, it should be the richest in our society.

“Ahead of the Budget next month, I will continue to call on the government to reverse the changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance and advocate for changes which are more compassionate, such as uplifting the current cut off threshold.”

She added that she has asked ministers consider a wealth tax, saying it would be “only fair that those with the broadest soldiers take on the greatest responsibility”.

Mary Kelly Foy was one of six Labour MPs in the region who didn’t vote on the policy when it was put before Parliament on September 10. Nineteen voted with the government to scrap the payment.

Cross-party councillors on Durham County Council voiced their concerns against the decision at a heated council meeting on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Stockton Tory MP Matt Vickers said the policy was “cruel and unjust”.

Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) “We’re now seeing Labour Councillors condemn the heartless policy,” Mr Vickers said.  “These councillors are seeing the true impact that this will have on many elderly people in our region and are making a stand

“It’s disgusting that many Labour MPs in our region chose to put their political careers ahead of those they represent and voted it through".

"The Government is making the choice to take £300 from pensioners on as little as £13,000 whilst giving train drivers on £65,000 a pay rise of almost £10,000.”

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Speaking to Channel 4 Sir Keir Starmer said he “understands” how his colleagues feel about the move.

“This is clearly a difficult decision but a motion at conference doesn’t dictate Government policy.”

Addressing criticism of the decision during his conference speech on Tuesday he insisted “every pensioner will be better off with Labour”.