Labour MP Jeevun Sandher: “I’m Cool With the Winter Fuel Cut”
When the big question dropped in the chat on GB News — “Why is the government cutting that handy winter fuel card?” — Labour’s Jeevun Sandher flipped the script. He told Camilla Tominey that he’s totally fine with the move, even while millions of pensioners may be left turning their lights off to stay warm.
What the Cut Means for Pensions
From autumn onward, any pensioner in England or Wales who isn’t on pension credit (or other safety‑net benefits) will no longer get that little boost between £100 and £300 to keep their homes cozy.
- 10 million people are on this list.
- The Prime Minister and the Chancellor swear that nothing new will be introduced to tighten the purse further.
- The plan, however, is a sneaky patch‑work to seal the £22 billion “black hole” left by the Conservatives.
Sandher’s “Comfort”
When asked, he shrugged. “I asked pensioners if they’re having a hard time meeting their bills; they said no.” He then added a quick charm offensive: “If you’re struggling, we’ve got pension credit. If you’re just above that line, there’s the Household Support Fund. If you’re dealing with hiccups, drop us a line and we’ll sort it out.”
“Embarrassing” or “Pragmatic”?
Tominey’s reaction was almost theatrical. “Isn’t it a bit embarrassing for a left‑wing MP to see people potentially lose this help?” she asked. “Ten million pensioners, many on the silver line, are facing a real cut.”
Sandher was defensive: “We need to close that finance gap, and I’m comfortable with Rachel Reeves’ decision.” He flashed a quick reminder of his Treasury past, hinting that he knows how painful those numbers can feel.
All the Support Still Exists
There are a few safety nets:
- Means‑tested fuel allowance stays for the poorest pensioners.
- State pension bump: £900 last April and another £400 next April.
- Other state benefits that keep the heat on.
Yet the bright line is the 400‑plus pensioners who might see their heaters snap. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister warned that about 4,000 pensioners could be in danger due to the same funding slashing.
The Big Picture
Quadruple‑the buzz from Prime Minister’s Questions in September: “If we cut this card, it could literally increase the number of pensioners who die because they cannot afford heating.” This level of rhetoric shows how big the numbers and emotions are at play.
All that said, Jeevun Sandher and his fellow MPs are looking for a middle ground. They aim to close the financial hole while keeping as much help in the pockets of those who have just enough to get by.
Takeaway
In the coin flip between “tighten the budget” and “protect vulnerable families,” Sandher’s verdict is “yeah, I’m cool with it.” But make no mistake — this is a line that draws razor‑sharp viewpoints from everyone once the autumn streets go a bit colder.
