Devon MP condemns Labour for Winter Fuel Payment cuts

A Devon MP has condemned the Labour Government for cutting Winter Fuel Payments, a move that she says will impact thousands of pensioners in the South West Devon constituency, which includes parts of Dartmoor.

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, criticised the decision after Labour MPs voted in the House of Commons on 10 September to scrap the payments, affecting approximately 21,980 pensioners in the area. 

ABOVE: Conservative MP for South West Devon, Rebecca Smith

She said these pensioners are now set to lose up to £300 this winter, with many facing difficult decisions about whether to heat their homes or buy food.

Ms Smith voiced particular concern for those in rural areas who rely on oil, which is more expensive than mains gas, to heat their homes. 

She condemned the move as “heartless” and warned that it would leave many elderly residents vulnerable during the colder months.

“This heartless decision just shows clearly where Keir Starmer and his Labour Government have fixed their priorities and it is not with the almost 22,000 pensioners who live here in South West Devon, many of whom live off the mains and rely on oil – which is more expensive than mains gas - to run their central heating. 

“Despite knowing older people will be struggling to pay to heat their homes this winter – their own report said so – Labour MPs still decided to take this money away from pensioners.  

“It has not taken long for Labour ministers and this Government to reveal their true colours.”

Meanwhile, Okehampton-based domestic heating oil company Moorland Fuels has pledged to support pensioners affected by the cut. 

The company announced that it is lowering the minimum quantity of heating oil orders for state pension-aged customers, reducing the minimum from the industry standard of 500 litres to 300 litres. 

This move is designed to help pensioners spread the cost of heating oil through smaller, more frequent top-ups during the winter.

Matthew Crockett, Group Managing Director of Moorland Fuels, commented: “Following this week’s vote in the House of Commons, which passed the Governments’ plans to end Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners, we have taken the decision to support our customers through what could be a financially testing time.

“We recognise that the Government’s removal of payments worth £200 for households where the oldest pensioner is under 80, and £300 for households with those aged 80 or over, will mean that some may struggle to cover the cost of their oil-based domestic heating this winter. We want to help reduce that stress by lowering the minimum order size for those of state Pension age, which will help reduce their financial outlay per delivery.”

This change allows pensioners on Moorland Fuels’ direct debit payment programme to pay around 35 per cent less for 300 litres of heating oil than for a standard 500-litre delivery. 

The company is also continuing its free Cold Weather Priority service, which ensures over-75s and medically vulnerable individuals receive priority deliveries during cold weather.

Ms Smith stood with her Conservative colleagues on College Green outside the House of Commons, opposing Labour’s decision.

She also spoke out in an Opposition Day debate about the impact of scrapping Winter Fuel Payments, vowing to continue advocating for her constituents.

“I voted against Labour’s plan and will continue to support vulnerable pensioners through the winter months as best as I can.”