Letter from , Labour’s Shadow Chief
Secretary to the Treasury, to the Chancellor following John
Glen’s comments about winter fuel payments.
Dear Chancellor,
The Paymaster General has suggested that some pensioners should
be stripped of their Winter Fuel Payment.
Pensioners will be deeply concerned about such speculation,
especially ahead of winter, and anxious that their incomes may be
under threat from this government.
Pensioners are already having to contend with dramatic increases
to the cost of living, particularly when it comes to their energy
bills. The price of gas has risen by 60% over the past two years,
while the price of electricity has risen by 40%.
This latest intervention comes on top of previous speculation
about the government's approach to the triple lock, including a
statement from one of your own economic advisers and Conservative
parliamentary candidate for Bicester and Woodstock , who said in September that
“it's time for an independent review” of the triple lock.
Pensioners will be anxious about this news ahead of the autumn
statement. The Paymaster General was, until recently, involved in
drawing it up, in his previous role as Chief Secretary to the
Treasury.
I am therefore writing to ask you to:
- Clarify whether this is the view of the Prime Minister
- Clarify whether this is the view of HM Treasury
- Clarify what discussions have been held regarding the future
of the Winter Fuel Payment
- Explain which groups of pensioners the Paymaster General does
not think should receive the Winter Fuel Payment
- Confirm whether the government is considering any other
changes to pensioners' incomes, and whether the government
remains committed to the triple lock on the state pension.
Given this is a matter of public interest, I will be releasing
this letter to the press.
Yours sincerely,
Darren Jones
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Ends
Notes:
