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.

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies has warned that the decision to cut winter fuel payments will have huge implications in Pembrokeshire. Only pensioners who claim pension credit will now receive the payment of up to £300 this winter to help with higher heating bills and it’s believed that the decision to cut winter fuel payments will affect around 21, 566 pensioners in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.

Mr Davies said, “The next few months will be very uncomfortable for many local pensioners, who will now be unable to receive a winter fuel payment. These payments were a lifeline to pensioners and the decision to cut them by the UK Government is callous and cruel.

“The policy has been rushed through without a serious consideration of the impact that it will have – and it’s disappointing that MPs have not done more to scrutinise this policy and hold the UK Labour Government to account. Thousands of local pensioners in Pembrokeshire will go without this valuable support this winter because of the UK Labour Government’s rush to implement this policy. It’s absolutely appalling and the pensioners of Pembrokeshire deserve better.”

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.

Meanwhile here in Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz MS commented: “This heartless decision clearly shows where Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government’s priorities lie, and it’s certainly not with the 21,000 pensioners in Mid and South Pembrokeshire.

“Despite knowing that older people will struggle to heat their homes this winter – their own report acknowledged this – Labour MPs still chose to strip pensioners of this vital support.

“It hasn’t taken long for Labour ministers and this Government to reveal their true colours.

“I would have voted against this plan, and I will continue to do everything in my power to support vulnerable pensioners through the challenging winter months ahead.”