Thousands set to lose Winter Fuel Payment in Wiltshire

The decision, coming after weeks of controversy, will cut the Winter Fuel Payment which entitled all pensioners to between £200 and £300 towards heating bills.

The Conservative motion to block the government was voted down 348 to 228, a margin of 120, with several MPs abstaining.

In a statement to the Journal, MP for Salisbury John Glen said: “I voted to keep the Winter Fuel Payment, and I am disappointed and angry that the cut will go ahead, affecting more than 20,000 pensioners in this constituency alone, many on incomes as low as £13,000.

“This was a political choice, set against a backdrop of inflation-busting pay rises and it will hurt pensioners just as their energy bills are set to rise this winter."

John Glen MP (Image: Press Association)

Mr Glen added: “People who have worked their whole lives and done the right thing deserve dignity and security in retirement, instead of being hung out to dry.”

Around 10 million people across the country will now not receive the £200 to £300 payment.

In Wiltshire over 105,000 people were previously eligible, but that number will now plummet to around 7,500.

More than 98,000 people will now lose out, which is a drop of 93%.

The government have asserted pay union pay rises are in no way connected to the decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment.

The vote came after Starmer became the first PM to address the Trade Union Congress in 15 years.

At the event, the embattled PM asserted: “Let me make this clear this government will not risk its economic mandate under any circumstances.”

During his speech, Sir Keir reiterated the government’s supposedly bleak economic inheritance, epitomised by the infamous ‘£22 billion blackhole,’ from the previous government.

Taking aim at the Conservatives, the PM stated: “I won’t take lectures from the Tories, or others, who complain every time this government tries to undo the damage that they have done.”