Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Ealing Central & Acton, Alastair Mitton, calls MP Rupa Huq's vote on winter fuel allowance payment cuts 'disgraceful'.

The Government voted in favour of removing winter fuel allowance payments on 10 September from all pensioners expect those claiming pension credit or other means tested benefits.

Before the vote the allowance was available to anyone over the age of 66.

Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq voted in favour of removing winter aid from over 10,000 residents in the constituency. 

Alastair Mitton, Parliamentary Spokesperson comments: "Liberal Democrats say that Rupa Huq and Ealing Labour has abandoned some of the most vulnerable in our constituency in Ealing.

"Over 10,000 residents will now be deprived of what is, for many, a vital contribution over the coldest months.

"The poorest will once again be forced into making the agonising choice between heating and eating. Labour's decision to vote in favour of this heartless and unnecessary.

"Liberal Democrats are standing up for those residents in Ealing who are the most vulnerable."

Liberal Democrats voted against the measure and have also called for the reversal of the Conservative tax cuts on the big banks, tax cuts which will cost the country £4 billion.

However, Huq via X admits she "never wanted" to vote on the winter fuel allowance cuts for pensioners but was forced too.

She says: "I never wanted to restrict winter fuel payment to those on pension credit but reluctantly agreed to it due to triple lock ensuring pension rises, continuation of household support fund, initative so 880,000 people entitled to pension credit claim this and Tory mismanagement."

According to Sky News, Labour's move is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving the exchequer around £1.4bn this year.