How did YOUR MP vote on Keir Starmer's scrapping of winter fuel payments?

Keir Starmer managed to successfully avoid a rebellion against his controversial plans to scrap the winter fuel payment today. 

Some 10 million pensioners will not get the allowance - worth up to £300 - this year after MPs signed off the controversial measure by 348 to 228. 

Just one Labour MP, veteran left-winger Jon Trickett, supported a Tory motion to block the move, and now faces having the whip suspended, while 53 MPs did not vote.

Although Labour sources insisted that just a dozen dodged the vote without having been given approval. 

A further five independent MPs, who were recently suspended from the Labour Party for rebelling against the two-child benefit cap, also backed the Tories – John McDonnell, Apsana Begum, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne and Zarah Sultana.

Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have been highlighting the prospect of a hike to offset the loss of up to £300 from the winter fuel allowance

Mr Trickett, who served in Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet, said he feared the measure would cause more pensioners to fall into poverty during the winter and would sleep well tonight knowing that I voted to defend my constituents.

In a statement posted on X he said: This winter will be extremely difficult for my constituents of all ages.

After years of obscene profiteering by energy companies, they are hiking bills once again.

I fear that removing the payment from pensioners will mean that many more will fall into poverty this winter.

We know that the consequences of pensioner poverty are devastating. It can even be a matter of life and death.

I have worked behind the scenes to try and change the Governments position, but to no avail.

Our country is richer than its ever been, but the wealth is not shared fairly.

In my view the Government should be looking to raise revenues from the wealthiest in society, not working class pensioners.

He added: I will sleep well tonight knowing that I voted to defend my constituents.

Just one MP, Jon Trickett, voted with the opposition, but the Governments majority still fell to 120 from its theoretical strength of 167.

The leadership had threatened to suspend the whip from rebels, and seven, including Zarah Sultana, are already out in the cold following a previous protest over the two-child benefit cap.

Ms Reeves last night told panicking Labour MPs she would not back down – and suggested pensioners could afford to tighten their belts this winter

Many rebels seem to have stepped back from the brink after Sir Keir ruthlessly suspended the whip from a group who voted to abolish the two-child benefit cap. 

Ministers have been pointing to an expected £460 rise in the state pension next year in a bid to defuse the row. 

Official figures typically used to set the increase in April showed earnings going up by 4 per cent.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have been highlighting the prospect of a hike to offset the loss of up to £300 from the winter fuel allowance.

Ms Reeves last night told panicking Labour MPs she would not back down – and suggested pensioners could afford to tighten their belts this winter.

The Chancellor said she did not relish the cut, but warned there would be more difficult decisions to come in next months Budget.

Ministers have refused to publish an assessment of the likely impact of the cut, which will save £1.5billion a year.

53 Labour MPs abstained in the winter fuel allowance vote - although some might have had other reasons for being away from the Commons

Full list of all the MP who did not vote

The triple lock means the state pension rises by the highest out of earnings, inflation or 2.5 per cent. For April the earnings figure will almost certainly be the top figure. 

Starmers spokeswoman says: The prime minister has been clear about the importance of this policy, and while it is not something that he or the chancellor wanted to do, it is necessary as part of our efforts to balance the books and address the £22 billion black hole.

She adds that the government was elected to restore financial stability and fix the foundations of the country.

The plan to cut the winter fuel allowance is in line with that mandate, she says, and Starmer welcomes the progress thats made.

During the debate, Mel Stride the shadow work and pensions secretary lashed out at Labour, who he claimed made no mention of cutting fuel payments during the election campaign.

Broken promises already, that special contract that they sought to have with the British people based on integrity and decency smashed into a million pieces, he said.