Pearce defends stance on Winter Fuel Allowance changes

High Peak MP Jon Pearce has defended his decision to vote in changes to those who qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance, saying those who don’t need it shouldn’t receive it.

Until now, all pensioners were eligible to net the annual £200 grant, but the new legislation means that it will be means tested in the future. 

Millions of the poorest OAPs will still automatically qualify for the payment, but the Government estimates more than 800,000 people are entitled to pension credits that they don’t claim. 

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Pearce said: “Yesterday I voted to means test the Winter Fuel Allowance. This was not an easy decision, but it was one we needed to make. When money is tight every pound should as a matter of principle be targeted at those that need it most. Not at those who do not. 

“There are pensioners who are millionaires who get the same £200 each winter as other pensioners who are living in poverty. We cannot justify such poorly targeted benefits any longer.” 

The MP, who replaced Robert Largan in July’s General Election, went on to say that the pension triple lock will stay in place, meaning the state pension will continue to rise in line with inflation, average wages or 2.5%, whichever is higher.

Age UK have launched a petition against the plans, saying that they, “Strongly oppose the means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment because it means as many as 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and will be in serious trouble as a result.  

“Means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment, with no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy choice, and one that will potentially jeopardise the health as well as the finances of millions of older people this winter – the last thing either they or the NHS needs.”