Saqib has spoken out against the government’s plan to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners in a speech made during a debate in the House of Commons. The government’s current plan would see nearly 10 million pensioners across the country lose out on winter fuel payments as only those in receipt of pension credits or means-tested benefits will be eligible. Within Meriden and Solihull East, this will affect 18,500 people, leaving many pensioners with the difficult decision of choosing between heating and eating. The End Poverty Coalition estimates that pensioners could see a 15% increase in their energy bills this winter.
There has been a concerted effort from across civil society for this policy to be abandoned, with petitions from numerous organisations calling on the government to reverse its decision. Saqib has joined numerous organisations and individuals by signing the Age UK petition calling for the winter fuel payments to be reinstated. The petition has over 400,000 signatures with numbers increasing day by day. During his speech, Saqib called on MPs from across the House to come together in support of the pensioner community and reject the government’s plan.
Commenting on the speech, Saqib said:
“It was important for me to speak in the Chamber today on behalf of the 18,500 pensioners in my constituency who will lose their winter fuel payments. For many pensioners, their only source of income is the state pension and without the much needed help of the winter fuel payments they may be unable to effectively heat their homes.”
“The decision to cut winter fuel payments is purely political. The Labour Party are using pensioners as a political weapon, and it is completely unconscionable. I voted against this measure and I will continue to speak out against it and every opportunity.”
