Carmichael votes against Winter Fuel Allowance cut

Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, has today voted against the Government’s proposed cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance. A motion in Parliament to block the changes was defeated by 228 votes to 348, with all Liberal Democrat MPs voting against the cut.

A new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the effects of the cut to the winter fuel allowance for pensioners this winter. Over half (55%) of UK pensioners polled said they would likely be heating their homes less this winter, while 4 in 10 will look to cut back on other ‘essentials’. 1 in 5 (19%) pensioners are planning to eat less this winter due to the cut. 

An estimated 8,840 pensioners in the Northern Isles are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am glad that the Liberal Democrats have stood together today to vote against the government’s cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners. We all understand the dire state the Tories left the public finances in but now is not the time to be cutting energy bill support to vulnerable people.

“Winter is fast approaching and energy bills are on the way up. Ministers need to recognise that people risk falling through the cracks and falling further into fuel poverty if these cuts go ahead.

“Since these restrictions were announced I have been inundated by messages from local people expressing their concerns about this decision. The government needs to listen and rethink its plans.”