Tom Gordon: "Cutting Winter Fuel Payments was always going to be a disaster" Statement on Government WFP U-turn

“At long last the Chancellor has listened the Liberal Democrats and the thousands of tireless campaigners across the country – cutting Winter Fuel Payments was always going to be a disaster. But the misery it caused last winter cannot be overstated or ignored. It never should have happened in the first place. 

“Untold numbers of pensioners were forced to choose between heating and eating this winter, whilst the Government simply refused to listen, burying its head in the sand for months on end, ignoring the very real suffering of thousands of pensioners struggling to make ends meet. 

“So whilst the U-turn is welcome, we must recognise the unnecessary hardship it has caused. I will now study the details closely to make sure those needing this vital support are the ones getting it. The pain so many went through this past winter cannot be repeated this coming winter.”

ENDS