Steff Aquarone MP fighting to block winter fuel cuts, which could impact almost 26,000 local pensioners

Steff Aquarone, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has backed a motion in Parliament to block the government’s plans to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners. 

If passed, the Liberal Democrat motion would protect local pensioners by blocking the government’s changes and restoring their winter fuel payments. It is set to be tabled as soon as Parliament returns next week and has been backed by all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs.

It comes as new analysis shows an estimated 25,796 pensioners in North Norfolk are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

This is the estimated number of pensioners in the constituency who don't receive pension credit, and so will lose the winter fuel allowance under the government’s plans unless they receive other benefits. The figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library based on data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Across the country, 11 million pensioners are set to lose their winter fuel payment under the government’s plans, including two million that the charity Age UK has said will struggle to afford their energy bills as a result. This is despite the average energy bill being set to rise by £149 a year from October.

Steff Aquarone, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, said:

“Countless pensioners across North Norfolk are worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter. 

“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners in North Norfolk, just when energy bills are set to rise again, is simply wrong. It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter.

“Our area is acutely affected by these cuts, as North Norfolk is proudly home to almost 30,000 pensioners. I am greatly concerned by how these misguided plans will affect them.

“That is why I am doing everything I can to block these plans, which could cause immense financial hardship in our area.”