Baroness Stedman-Scott:

Moved by Baroness Stedman-Scott

That this House regrets (1) that the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (SI 2024/869), laid before the House on 22 August, will leave pensioners worse off in winter; (2) the decision to prioritise above-inflation pay rises for unionised public sector professionals over the needs of the elderly, including many households that are eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it; and (3) the lack of transparency on these policy decisions during the election period.

Relevant document: 2nd Report by the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (special attention drawn to the instrument)

I thank all noble Lords for their contributions to the debate on the regret Motion tabled in my name. I cannot think there is anyone in this Chamber who wants this to happen—withdrawing the winter fuel allowance in the way the Minister has so eloquently outlined. The two phrases that come out time and again are “take time” and “think again”, and I live in hope that that may happen. I look forward to the day when we will meet with people in this House to see if there is anything we can do to make this more palatable. To that end, I wish to test the opinion of the House.

Ayes 164, Noes 132.

Baroness Stedman-Scott’s Motion agreed.