MPs have voted to drastically reduce the winter fuel payment, restricting it to only the country’s poorest pensioners. A Conservative-led motion to block the measure was defeated in the House of Commons by 348 votes to 228, giving the Labour government a majority of 120 on the issue.

New Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell obeyed the Labour Party whips, and voted against the motion, and therefore in favour of scrapping winter fuel payment for the majority of pensioners.

Despite Labour’s commanding majority of 167 in the Commons, the decision was not without dissent within the party. Labour MP Jon Trickett was the only member of his party to support the Conservative motion, while 52 other Labour MPs were absent from the vote. However, this absence does not necessarily indicate an abstention, as some may have been granted permission to miss the session.

The decision sparked outrage in the chamber, with shouts of “shame” echoing through the House of Commons after the results were announced. The cut to the winter fuel allowance will see payments limited to those pensioners claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits, where previously anyone over 66 was eligible. This change is expected to reduce the number of recipients from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving the government £1.4bn this year.

The decision comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves attempts to address a £22bn shortfall in public finances. The cuts to the winter fuel payment were first announced in July, alongside other measures aimed at filling the budgetary gap. However, the move has attracted criticism from across the political spectrum, with charities, opposition MPs, and even members of the Labour Party calling for a rethink.

Trickett, a former shadow cabinet minister under Jeremy Corbyn, expressed concern over the policy, stating that it could drive more pensioners into poverty. “This winter will be extremely difficult for my constituents of all ages,” Trickett said on social media. “Pensioner poverty can be a matter of life and death.” He added that after years of profiteering by energy companies, higher bills would leave pensioners with “a heart-breaking choice between heating and eating this winter.”

Other Labour MPs have also voiced their concerns. Rachel Maskell warned that pensioners would be “frightened” to turn on their lights, fearing they would not be able to afford their bills. Debbie Abrahams criticised the policy, though ultimately voted with the government.

Despite Trickett’s rebellion, which may see him suspended for defying a three-line whip, Labour’s leadership remains firm on the decision. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the cut at the TUC conference in Brighton, stating that economic stability was essential for working people and that the government owed them “respect.”

Conservative criticism of the policy has been equally fierce. Mel Stride, the Tory shadow pensions secretary, called the decision “absurd” and warned it would cause “untold hardship to millions.” He accused the Labour government of rushing the measure through without proper scrutiny or an impact assessment, suggesting it was politically motivated.

Labour ministers have pointed to their commitment to the triple lock on state pensions, which guarantees an annual rise by inflation, wage increases, or 2.5%, as evidence of their ongoing support for pensioners. Chancellor Reeves wrote earlier this week that maintaining the triple lock would increase state pensions by £1,700 by 2029.

As the winter approaches, the effects of the cut will be keenly felt by millions of pensioners who were previously eligible for the fuel payment. The debate over how best to support those most in need during the cost-of-living crisis is likely to continue, with both sides of the political aisle weighing the costs and benefits of the government’s approach.

THE BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie, has confirmed that discussions are under way regarding the potential recovery of £200,000 from disgraced former news presenter Huw Edwards. Despite the request, Edwards, from Carmarthenshire has yet to return the money. The BBC is seeking to claw back the salary Edwards continued to receive after being arrested last November on charges related to indecent images of children.

Speaking before the House of Lords communications and digital committee on Tuesday, Mr Davie stated: “We’ve made the formal request, and I can’t go into too much detail, but discussions are under way. The money should be returned, and we have made the request.”

When pressed by the committee’s chair, Baroness Stowell, on whether a deadline had been set for Edwards, Mr Davie confirmed no formal timeline had been imposed. “But we do expect to make progress and get an answer,” he added.

The BBC first made the request for repayment in August, following Edwards’ suspension in July 2023 and subsequent arrest in November on three counts of making indecent images of children. The corporation has indicated that legal avenues may be explored to recover the money, though Mr Davie acknowledged the difficulty of such an approach.

Edwards, once one of the BBC’s most prominent newsreaders, continued to draw his salary for five months after his arrest. He did not resign from his role at the BBC until April 2024, following his guilty plea to the charges.

In a letter to staff, BBC Chair Samir Shah condemned Edwards’ actions, stating that the former presenter had “behaved in bad faith” by continuing to accept his salary despite his criminal activities. “What Huw Edwards did damaged the reputation of the BBC,” Mr Shah remarked during the committee session. “It was a shock to find he was charged and had lived this double life. The person who betrayed the trust of the nation was Huw Edwards.”

The committee session also touched upon broader concerns regarding the BBC’s independence from government influence. Mr Shah expressed his belief that the government’s leverage over the corporation had damaged its global reputation in recent years. He argued that the BBC should aim to reduce this influence and instead focus its accountability on the public and licence fee payers.

“The BBC’s 14-strong board includes five non-executive directors appointed by the government. I’m not sure that’s the right balance, and I think we should think again about it,” said Mr Shah, reflecting on the influence exerted by government-appointed members.

Mr Shah’s comments come in the wake of previous controversies surrounding the BBC’s leadership. Richard Sharp, Mr Shah’s predecessor as chair, resigned in 2023 after a report criticised his failure to fully disclose his involvement in Boris Johnson’s personal financial dealings. Although Mr Sharp defended his actions, he ultimately stepped down to avoid being a distraction.

Additionally, former Downing Street head of communications, Sir Robbie Gibb, faced accusations of editorial interference after joining the BBC board in 2021.

Mr Shah also raised concerns about the BBC’s funding structure, particularly the impact of government-imposed duties. He highlighted the corporation’s responsibility for funding the World Service, which was transferred from the government to the BBC a decade ago. “We suddenly had to find £300m,” Mr Shah noted, adding that such financial burdens detract from the corporation’s ability to produce content.

“What matters most of all is the independence of the BBC,” he asserted. “We need to have a future funding model that ensures we are independent of that kind of action.”

A NEW Senedd law which will help modernise the electoral administration and remove barriers to democratic engagement has become the first act to be sealed by new First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, since she took office.

The Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill was first introduced to the Senedd in October 2023 and was passed by the Welsh Parliament in July this year. 

The new law means that Wales is set to be the first part of the UK to have automatic enrolment to the voting register, following countries like France, Germany and Italy who have a similar system already in place.

It is estimated up to 400,000 people not already registered to vote could be added to the register.

Alongside automatic registration of voters for Senedd and local government elections in Wales, the new act will:

• establish a new all-Wales body responsible for co-ordinating the effective administration of Welsh elections.
• create a new online voter information platform.
• introduce measures to increase diversity in the membership of the Senedd and local government.

The act is also committed to expanding the role and remit of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said: “Every person living in Wales should have the opportunity to cast their vote in elections that directly impact their lives. Whilst everyone has the right to decide if they vote, automatic enrolment will help break down potential barriers to voting.

“The introduction of this law is a huge step forward in making a system of electoral administration fit for the 21st century.”