KEIGHLEY and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore hit out at the government for voting to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners this winter.

Around 64,000 pensioners in the Bradford district will now lose up to £300 in winter fuel payments after MPs voted to scrap the scheme in the House of Commons yesterday (Tuesday).

Mr Moore said that in total, 347 Labour MPs, voted to cut the payments, despite warnings that pensioners would be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter.  

Keighley and Ilkley's Robbie Moore joined other MPs who opposed measures to cut winter fuel paymentsKeighley and Ilkley's Robbie Moore joined other MPs who opposed measures to cut winter fuel payments (Image: UGC)

Mr Moore joined MPs from across the country yesterday morning, voting to keep the payments, saying he would continue to fight to help protect vulnerable older people during the winter and will lobby the Government to change their plans.

Bradford district MPs Imran Hussain (Bradford East - Ind), Naz Shah (Bradford West - Lab) and Judith Cummins (Bradford South - Lab) all abstained, while Anna Dixon (Shipley - Lab) voted to cut winter fuel payments.

Speaking in the House of Commons Chamber, Mr Moore said: “To strip this support away is not just a fiscal misstep; it is a moral failing.

“The government may speak of tough choices, but after this vote, the real tough choice will be for pensioners—whether to heat their homes or go without.

“I’m proud to have stood on right side of this argument, with the support of Age UK, Citizens Advice, the Centre for Ageing Better and hundreds of charities all in opposition to scrapping these vital payments.”