Joe Robertson has written an article in the Daily Express in which he discusses the new Labour Government's decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payments. Joe Robertson raised his concerns within the article and calls it a 'cruel decision and a blow to the vulnerable'.
The Labour Government have proposed an introduction of a means-test for the Winter Fuel Allowance despite promising to protect the benefit during the general election. The cut will cost pensioners up to £300 a year and will impact pensioners earning as little as £13,000. Between 2010 and 2023, the Conservative had lifted over 200,000 pensioners out of absolute poverty.
The Leader of the Opposition, Rishi Sunak, tabled a prayer motion calling for this to be annulled and Joe Robertson joined Conservative Colleagues in adding his name to the Early Day motions that express a range of concerns about the policy.
Joe Robertson says within the article:
"Most are already facing a future of high costs for social care and need a warm home. The support that helps them to stay warm during winter is being removed.
As someone who used to work for Dementia UK, I know about some of the challenges that people with dementia and their families face.
Financial security and an uncertain future are high on the list. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, an estimated 63 percent of the costs of dementia are borne by patients and their families."
