Keir Starmer has seen off a Labour rebellion over plans to cut the winter fuel allowance to all but the poorest pensioners – although the UK Government’s majority fell to 120.
MPs voted 348 to 228 to axe the payment from most pensioners, rejecting a Tory bid for the controversial policy to be blocked.
However, one Labour backbencher, Jon Trickett, opposed the Government in supporting the Conservative motion, while 53 including – seven ministers – had no vote recorded.
Having no vote recorded does not necessarily mean that an MP actively chose to abstain as some may be unable to attend due to other commitments.
As well as the seven ministers, it’s understood some on the list had been “slipped”, meaning they were given permission not to attend.
However, 15 of the Labour MPs who signed a motion which called on the Prime Minister to delay implementing the cut were among those on the list.
The SNP voted for the Tory amendment and has called for Labour to reverse its decision.
However, John Swinney has also cut the benefit in Scotland, saying it is unaffordable following Labour’s announcement, which led to up to £160m being removed from the Scottish budget.
Number 10 had held firm against pressure to soften the impact of the cut in the run-up to the Commons vote, saying on Tuesday morning that there were no plans to widen eligibility for the payment.
Ministers insist that the measure is necessary in order to fill a “£22bn black hole” in the public finances which they say was left behind by their Tory predecessors.
But some backbenchers had said they feel unable to back the cut, which will see millions of pensioners lose the payment and only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits continue to receive help with their energy bills this winter.
The Government’s working majority is 167.
Trickett, who served in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, said he feared the measure would cause more pensioners to fall into poverty during the winter and “could not in good conscience make my constituents poorer”.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: “This winter will be extremely difficult for my constituents of all ages.
“After years of obscene profiteering by energy companies, they are hiking bills once again.
“I fear that removing the payment from pensioners will mean that many more will fall into poverty this winter.
“We know that the consequences of pensioner poverty are devastating. It can even be a matter of life and death.
“I have worked behind the scenes to try and change the Government’s position, but to no avail.
“Our country is richer than it’s ever been, but the wealth is not shared fairly.
“In my view the Government should be looking to raise revenues from the wealthiest in society, not working class pensioners.”
He added: “I will sleep well tonight know that I voted to defend my constituents.”
Clapham and Brixton Hill Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said she had been unable to attend the vote because she had been in Ghana for her father’s funeral, but would have defied the Government if she had been in the UK.
She said in a post on X: “For clarity, the reason I am unable to attend today’s vote on winter fuel payment cuts is because I am still out of the country following my Dad’s funeral in Ghana.
“If I was able to attend in-person, I would be voting against these cuts.”
It comes as the full state pension is set to rise by £460 from next April, according to official wage figures released on Tuesday.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
