Louie French MP's latest column in the News Shopper.
As we near the end of November, people's minds are fast turning toward Christmas, and festive cheer is being spread across our community via a range of fantastic Christmas events, markets, and carol services.
While for most, Christmas is a time of joy, for some in our community, it's the opposite. As the cold and dark nights draw in, this is a time of year when we must look out for those who are lonely and struggling to make ends meet.
The new Labour Government's decision to cancel winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners will sadly mean that more people in our community will struggle this year. Every winter since 1997, pensioners have been able to rely on winter fuel payments to help stay warm. But this year, that security is gone.
Over 36,000 pensioners across Bexley will be up to £300 out of pocket after the Government scrapped the winter fuel payment. At the same time, energy bills are rising again despite Labour's promise to cut them by hundreds of pounds at the election.
In Parliament, we forced a vote to stop Labour's welfare cut. Shamefully, Labour MPs voted to axe the benefit despite warnings from charities and knowing the impact it would have on vulnerable people.
My concern is that this isn't the end. At Prime Minister's Questions, I challenged Sir Keir Starmer to rule out axing pensioners' council tax and travel discounts. He refused.
The Government could afford to protect winter fuel payments. It costs about £1.5 billion. In her first Budget, Rachel Reeves increased taxes by £40 billion, increased public spending by £70 billion, and changed her fiscal rules to borrow even more. It's not a question of money; it's a question of choices and priorities.
While some wealthy retirees may not need winter fuel payments, millions do, and all pensioners deserve security in their retirement. The trouble with Labour's plans is that millions living near or below the poverty line will lose out. The Government estimates that soon 100,000 more pensioners will be pushed into relative poverty as a result.
As the MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, I will always stand up for pensioners who deserve dignity and support in retirement. And I know from my own mailbag and our national petition that local people care deeply about this issue.
It's never too late for the Government to admit they've got this and their budget of broken promises wrong, and we will continue to challenge them to do so.
Here in Bexley, our community spirit continues to shine brightly, and local community groups will again be opening their doors to those in need. Bexley Council are also looking at new ways to support local people via Bexley Boxes and the Household Support Fund.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our community who will be working incredibly hard to support others again this Christmas, especially our armed forces, emergency services and faith leaders.
