Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, Richard Foord, opposed the Government’s cut to the Winter Fuel Payment. 

MP's voted on the new bill in the House of Commons last night (Monday September 9). The Liberal Democrat member of parliament voted against Labour's bill.

A poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats revealed the effects of the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment this winter. The poll of pensioners showed that three in four (75%) expect to be affected by the Government’s cut to winter fuel payments.  

The figures claim more than half (55%) of UK pensioners polled said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter, while four in ten will look to cut back on other ‘essentials’. One in five (19%) pensioners are planning to eat less this winter due to the cut.  

It also shows an estimated 25,733 pensioners in Honiton & Sidmouth are at risk of losing the payment of up to £300, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months. 

Research from the charity Age UK shows the proposed cut to the Winter Fuel Payment will mean two million will find paying their energy bills a real stretch and will be seriously hit by this cut. 

Liberal Democrat Richard Foord MP for Honiton & Sidmouth said after the vote: “I consider it my duty on behalf of people who I represent to vote the Government’s cut to the Winter Fuel Payment. 

“We cannot stand by and allow millions of older people to endure another harsh winter. 

“Since these plans have been announced I have been inundated with local people expressing their concern at this decision, so it is right that to take this opportunity to stand up for them in Parliament. 

 “While we understand the dire state the Conservatives left the public finances in, now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”