NEWTON Abbot MP Martin Wrigley has promised to vote against the controversial scrapping of winter fuel payments for all pensioners. 

MPs are due to vote this afternoon on whether to scrap the fuel payment of between £200 and £300 to pensioners who are not in receipt of Pension Tax Credit to other means-tested benefits. 

Speaking ahead of the debate in Parliament, Mr Wrigley said: ‘Today I will be voting against the removal of Winter Fuel Payments. 

‘A rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners continue to get the support they need.

‘I’ll be standing up for them in Parliament.’

The removal of the payment is expected to save the Government £1.4bn this financial year

If passed, households in England and Wales will no longer automatically be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits. 

Currently 10.8 million pensioners receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

First introduced in 1997 under Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Winter Fuel Payment amounts have varied, but in most years the amount has been £200 for households where the oldest person is under 80, and £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. 

Speaking to union leaders this morning, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer argued he ‘owes it to working people’ not to be reckless with money, and again says the government inherited a ‘£22bn black hole’ from the Conservatives. 

The move has met harsh criticism from charities such as Age UK and trade unions. 

Some Labour MPs are expected to abstain from this afternoon’s vote.