The electorate voted for change during the General Election, and now it’s happening. Our Chancellor is leading the way with a new and innovative way to save money: Scrap the universal winter fuel allowance. This decision, made ahead of Ms Reeves’s first budget, will axe the payment of up to £300 for all pensioners except those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits, and this comes as regulator Ofgem raises its energy price cap by 10 per cent.

When questioned her answer is Pensioners should claim pension credit as we have to fill the £22 billion black hole in our finances, however the charity director of Age UK told the Sky News Money blog that completing the 22-page form would “pose a challenge for many”. Older people must fill out a 243-question form to access pension credit and winter fuel payments – a task that will be “daunting” for some and almost impossible for others.

Reeves, on an annual salary of £163,891 + expenses, claimed £4,400 for heating and over £3,700 over the last 5 years. Labour MPs claimed £400,00 over the same period when, on an MP’s salary of £91,000, they were allowed to use taxpayers’ money to pay for their energy bills, but a pensioner of £11,500 could not claim the winter fuel allowance. In an interview with GB News, Reeves defended her expenses, arguing that MPs are required to maintain two homes—one in London and one in their constituency. “Well, being a constituency MP means that you have to have a house in London as well as, of course, living in the constituency, and that’s the same for all MPs,” Reeves stated. “Those are longstanding rules.”

Reeves emphasised her commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, stating, “I am determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners are protected and will still get winter fuel payments, and indeed, to ensure that pension incomes continue to increase with the triple lock.” However, what she omitted to say was that the increase won’t be paid till April 2025. The Chancellor’s defence of her expenses comes amid a backlash from more than 50 Labour MPs who defied party leader Sir Keir Starmer by refusing to vote for his plan to scrap the winter fuel payments. however, shame on the MPs who, after winning the vote, actually cheered when the result was announced.

The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over MPs’ expenses and the perception of fairness, especially as pensioners prepare to lose a key financial support during the colder months. As public scrutiny intensifies, Reeves’ expense claims are likely to remain a contentious issue, raising questions about the balance between MPs’ entitlements and the needs of ordinary citizens, and it would appear that we have swopped Tory austerity for the Labour version, SO what a change that is.

However, we in Scotland should be okay, as Annas Sarwar told us on a TV debate:

 

“Read my lips… No austerity under Labour.”