A LABOUR MP’s call to help support people sign up to pension credit after voting to cut the Winter Fuel Payment has been labelled “ironic”.
Labour were widely condemned after the party voted to scrap the universal Winter Fuel Payment despite warnings it could lead to the deaths of elderly people.
It meant that around 10 million pensioners were stripped of cash to help pay heating bills while the Scottish Government said it had been left with “no choice” but to end universal Winter Fuel Payments north of the Border.
In a post on Twitter/X, Scottish Labour MP for Glasgow North East Maureen Burke said: “I want to ensure that every constituent that is eligible for support this winter gets it.
“That’s why I am holding a special pension credit sign-up on November 1. Me and my team will be on hand to assist with applications and to provide advice.
“Please share and come along.”
READ MORE: Labour refuse to explain Sue Gray's 'envoy to nations' role to MPs
Burke was among those to vote to scrap the universal payment with Scottish Labour also facing criticism for backing the move.
Speaking to The National, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde Stuart McMillan (below) said it was “ironic” Burke was holding an event for pensioners who would be directly impacted by cuts imposed by the UK Government.
“It is ironic that a Labour MP who voted for the removal of the universal Winter Fuel Payment for nearly 900,000 Scottish pensioners is now holding an event to assist the constituents directly impacted by her actions,” he said.
“Scottish Labour MPs and MSPs have made it clear where their priorities lie by choosing to bow to their Westminster bosses rather than stand up for Scotland’s pensioners.”
Elsewhere, Nikita Bassi, a staffer for Nicola Sturgeon, commented: "This is just weird.
"Labour MPs chose to cut the Winter Fuel Payment from pensioners and are now pretending they’re interested in helping them out? Make it make sense."
The National has reached out to Burke for further comment.
READ MORE: Scottish charity facing closure with 31 jobs at risk
We also told how Holyrood voted overwhelmingly that the UK Government should reverse its cut to the Winter Fuel Payment.
MSPs voted by 99 to just 14 to oppose the Labour Government’s decision – with all those to oppose coming from Scottish Labour.
However, Scottish Labour MSPs Alex Rowley and former party leader Richard Leonard rebelled and backed the motion which had been put forward by the SNP.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel