MPs today (Tuesday) voted in The House of Commons to cut the pensioner allowance for Winter Fuel payments meaning only those on pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits will receive it now.   

This will hit around 10 million pensioners. A Conservative motion against this was defeated by 348 votes to 228. Congleton MP, Sarah Russell (Labour), whose constituency includes Alsager, was one of those who voted in favour. 

She said it was important extra help should be based on need not age and pledged ensuring support gets to "the most vulnerable". 

Sarah told Nub News exclusively: "After carefully considering the many letters and emails I've had on this topic, and meeting with Scope and Age UK, I have made the difficult decision to vote with the government on Winter Fuel Payments.

"I firmly believe this extra help should be based on need, not on age - many pensioners who receive these payments do not need them, and indeed some of the constituents who have written to me have made this point. 

 "Having said that, it is of course vital that we protect pensioners' income. Labour is committed to the triple lock, meaning pensions go up every year: the full new state pension went up by £900 this year and is likely to go up by around £400 next year. 

"I'll do everything I can to ensure support gets to the most vulnerable. I'll be running events in the constituency to help people check their eligibility for and apply for Pension Credit, and other help such as the Household Support Fund, which the government has extended. 

"I'll continue to push for more support for pensioners who are just above the threshold for Pension Credit - many people wrote to me with ideas of how best to target this support, and I've raised these with the Chancellor. 

"I'll also continue working with colleagues in Parliament to find more ways to bring down household energy bills."