Last Tuesday, while the farmers protest was taking place, the Department Work and Pensions released a letter which cites the Government’s own analysis that the decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payments could result in an estimated additional 100,000 pensioners in relative poverty.
I was concerned to see the Secretary of State confirm that these figures were available to the Government at the time, yet they still went ahead with this policy.
I made numerous written and spoken requests for an Impact Assessment and was turned down. Members across the House should have been able to debate these figures at the time.
You can read the full letter here: Winter Fuel Payments eligibility change - Letter from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
