Three Norfolk MPs tell us how they're voting in winter fuel payments cut
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says it's a "tough" but necessary decision to put the public finances on a "firmer footing"
Three of Norfolk's MPs have been telling us how they plan to vote in today's debate on the Government's plans to scale-back winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
Sir Keir Starmer's come under pressure - from charities and some of his own MPs - to reverse this cut, which they argue will harm those on low-incomes across the UK.
What have some of our MPs said on this?
Alice Macdonald is Norwich North's MP and from Labour:
"I don't want to see it and the Government didn't want to do this, but it is economic credibility being prioritised. There is a big scheme to increase pension credit take-up, there are nearly a million people who are eligible for it but are not getting it. So I want to work with local authorities to change that."
Jerome Mayhew is MP for Broadland and Fakenham and from the Conservatives:
"Up to £300 makes a huge difference when it's cold outside and we've got to make a decision about whether to put the heating on or not. We know that poor health conditions and deaths increase when it's cold. This is a political decision."
Steff Aquarone is MP for North Norfolk and from the Lib Dems:
"I'm pleased that the Government has allowed the time to debate this and haven't wrapped it up in other bills. I'm really worried for the thousands of patients in North Norfolk who are dependent on this money to heat their homes."
What being voted on?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, announced in the summer that, from winter 2024/2025, households in England and Wales will no longer be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.
According to the House of Common Library, 10.8 million pensioners in 7.6 million households in England and Wales received the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/2024.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 1.5 million individuals in 1.3 million households in England and Wales will receive a payment for winter 2024/2025.
The measure is part of a package of measures announced by the Labour government aimed at making immediate savings, following an audit of public spending which concluded that there was an over £20 billion 'black-hole' in the public finances
This measure is expected to save around £1.3 billion in 2024/25 and £1.5 billion in subsequent years.
Today's vote will focus on whether to go ahead with these changes to this allowance or not.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says it's a "tough" but necessary decision to put the public finances on a "firmer footing".