MP Gareth Snell hits back at 'broken promise' claim after winter fuel payment U-turn

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell has hit back after he was accused of a 'severe lack of principle and backbone' over his winter fuel payments U-turn.

In the lead-up to the 2017 General Election, Mr Snell was photographed holding a placard stating: "If re-elected I promise to vote against the dementia tax, the cutting of the winter fuel allowance and commit to protect the pensions triple lock."

However, in a recent Commons vote, newly-elected Mr Snell was one of the 348 Labour MPs who supported the contentious policy. The photo resurfaced on social media following the pivotal vote.

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Former Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis stuck in the knife, accusing Mr Snell of 'breaking his promise' to pensioners in Stoke-on-Trent.

Now Mr Snell has defended his decision - and blamed the Tories for years of 'economic chaos'. He said: "The promise I made and kept in 2017 is simply not possible now. The seven years since that promise was made has seen unpredictable economic chaos from four Prime Ministers and 6 Chancellors whose collective actions have left us with a £22bn black hole in the budget.

"Targeting support to the most in need pensioners was the right thing to do, as was extending the Household support fund and reconfirming the Warm Home discount for those pensioners who just miss out.

Gareth Snell
Gareth Snell was pictured with the sign at the 2017 General Election -Credit:X

"But thousands of families in Stoke-on-Trent live in fuel poverty and were completely ineligible for winter fuel allowance - disabled people, low income families with children and those who live in cold, drafty homes and if we have to target support I would rather we help those genuinely in need.

"Wherever poverty manifests, the Labour Government will work to end it. But that job is made more difficult because of the economic crash caused by Liz Truss and the wreckless actions of the Conservatives."

Despite opposition, the Prime Minister managed to push through the change, limiting winter fuel payments exclusively to those receiving pension credit. The plan was approved in the Commons on Tuesday, with only one Labour rebel voting against it. However, a significant number of MPs from the government side were noticeably absent.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have maintained that this change is necessary to fill a £22billion gap in public finances left by the Tories, a claim which the Conservatives have refuted.

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