Pensioners hand Barrow MP letter over winter fuel cuts

Anne Bispham, 80, protested with a group adorned in Union Jacks outside Broadcasting House on Hartington Street - the Barrow Labour Party HQ.

The letter to Michelle Scrogham MP said: "Thank you for your stock response to us and some of the other members."

Ms Bispham said the response repeated comments the MP had given to The Mail on the subject.

Ms Bispham added that the protest outside Barrow Town Hall on October 5 was demonstrating how they felt about the taking away of the winter fuel allowance, which was previously a universal payment but has now become means-tested. 

Only those earning below the threshold needed to receive pension credit or other benefits will now be entitled to the payments.  

The Barrow Town Hall protest earlier this month (Image: Submitted) However Ms Bispham also said the protest was about Mrs Scrogham's actions as an MP. "We would expect you as our MP to care and fully support the needs of the people you represent, and not to have appeared to follow blindly supporting an unnecessary, cruel policy," she wrote. 

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Ms Bispham asked why Mrs Scrogham could not have abstained in the September 10 vote which saw a Conservative bid to block the motion. 52 MPs, including seven ministers, did not record a vote and Labour backbencher Jon Trickett voted with the Conservatives. 

"As our MP you are a voice for us and the people of Barrow in Furness and are expected to speak up for us," Ms Bispham wrote. 

Ms Bispham, who had never been involved in demonstrations before, said earlier this month that the vote had gone down 'really, really badly' and that pensioners were being treated as 'second-class citizens.' 

Mrs Scrogham said: "I totally understand that some people are worried and angry about this. Unfortunately, we’ve been left with such a huge mess by recent governments who have not been willing to take difficult decisions. We want to start building for the long-term rather than just endless quick fixes for easy headlines.

"I would encourage anyone who is worried - particularly those who sit just above the threshold for receiving pensions credit - to contact me so that I can help you get any support you are entitled to.

"I am also holding the first of a series of local community advice surgeries every Friday afternoon starting on Friday 8 November. People can email me at michelle.scrogham.mp@parliament.uk to get details and book an appointment.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves claims that there is a £22 billion 'black hole' in public finances left by the previous Government.