Tory MPs call on Rachel Reeves to 'think again' on winter fuel payments

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Conservative MPs have called on the Government to “think again” about means-testing the winter fuel payment. Tories gathered in Westminster on Tuesday morning, ahead of handing in a petition to the Treasury, a day before Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her first Budget.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride told the PA news agency that the petition has collected “over a quarter of a million signatures”.

Mr Stride said they are “calling upon the Government to think again about means-testing the winter fuel payment”. He said “many” pensioners are going to “really, really struggle”, adding: “This Government chose to give well above inflationary pay rises to trade union paymasters when it came to wage settlements and chose to take this money away from some of the most vulnerable people in the country.

We don’t believe that’s right.” The Government said after taking office that it needed to fill a £22 billion “black hole” in the public finances.