MP for Kingston and Surbiton, and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, has stood up for pensioners who will struggle this winter following the government changes to winter fuel allowance.

Under the proposed changes, 12,627 local pensioners could be impacted, on top of the 10% increase in energy cap announced by Ofgem. 

This comes as the Liberal Democrats tabled a motion on 2 September to block the government's proposals through a debate and a vote in Parliament.

 During the Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday 4 September, Ed Davey MP shared the experience of carer Norman who will lose the winter fuel allowance, due to earning just above the limit for pension credit. 

In his question to the Prime Minister, Ed Davey MP, said: "For the past 18 years, Norman has been a full-time carer for his wife, Ros, who has multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

"Earlier this year, he was forced to go back to work to earn the extra money for the cost of caring for his wife."

He continued: "As their income is just a few hundred pounds above the limit for pension credit, they are set to lose their winter fuel allowance, unless the Prime Minister listens to the Liberal Democrats and others and changes that plan.

"If he does not, what advice does he have for Norman and Ros, and millions of struggling pensioners, as they face rising heating bills this winter?"

 A new analysis shows an estimated 12,627 pensioners in Kingston and Surbiton are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

Under the government's changes only those pensioners who receive pension credit or other means-tested benefits will still get the £300 winter fuel allowance towards the cost of their energy bills.

 Across the country, 11 million pensioners are set to lose their winter fuel payment under the government's plans, including two million that the charity Age UK has said will struggle to afford their energy bills as a result.

This is despite the average energy bill being set to rise by £149 a year from October.

 With a 10% increase in energy prices in October, and changes to the winter fuel allowance, many pensioners in Kingston are worried about how they will be able to get by this winter.

The Liberal Democrats will table a parliamentary motion (known as a "prayer") to block the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024, published by the Government last week, from becoming law.

If passed by the House of Commons, the motion would keep the current system of universal Winter Fuel Payments for pensioner households in place.

Age UK research has estimated that two million pensioners will struggle to pay their energy bills due to this cut.