The decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payments from over 10 million pensioners not claiming Pension Credits was defended today by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

In her keynote speech to the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Rachel Reeves said “It was made clear to me that failure to act quickly would undermine the UK`s financial position with implications for public debt, mortgages, and price,  so I took action to make in-year savings necessary….to target the Winter Fuel Payment to those most in need, with the triple-lock ensuring the State Pension will rise by an estimated £1,700 over the course of this Parliament”.

The Chancellor went on to accuse the previous Government of leaving a  £22 Billion `black hole` in the public finances in unfunded commitments”.

CSPA has been campaigning against the Chancellor`s decision, announced without warning on 29 July, to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment to most of the 12.8 million pensioners  not  claiming pension credits.

CSPA Officers and members will be joining protests outside the House of Commons, and the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont on Monday 7 October from 12 noon, in the week that the controversial decision will be debated at the CSPA AGM in Kenilworth on 9-10 October.  Further information about the protests will be publicised later this week.