Writing in this week's Bromsgrove Standard (August 30th), Bradley said:
“After a busy summer meeting with residents and visiting businesses and community groups across our constituency, Parliament returns next week.
And as we head into the autumn months and the temperatures start to drop, one of my main focusses in Parliament will be on opposing Labour’s shameful decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for thousands of pensioners in Bromsgrove and the Villages.
Age UK has estimated that around 20,000 pensioners in our constituency will lose between £100 and £300 in support from this autumn. There is simply no justification for this political decision.
Conservatives are determined to ensure this issue is properly debated in Parliament, which is why we have submitted an Early Day Motion to challenge the government to hold a debate on Winter Fuel Payments.
This Labour government has tried to avoid scrutiny in Parliament for the consequences of their actions – and my constituents deserve better. On behalf of the thousands of pensioners in Bromsgrove and the Villages left on the hook for Labour’s political prioritisation of their union paymasters, we are determined to ensure this issue is debated.
I am deeply concerned about the impact this policy will have on vulnerable residents. There will be pensioners this winter choosing between heating and eating because Labour are removing the vital support they need to keep their homes warm.
That’s why I’m encouraging residents who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, but are eligible to receive this support, to make sure they’re doing so.
Age UK estimates there are around 891 households in the constituency who are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming it and who will lose the Winter Fuel Payment. I would urge pensioners to check if this support is available to them by visiting: www.gov.uk/pension-credit.
I can assure you that my Conservative colleagues and I will be doing everything we can to get the Labour government to reverse their disastrous decision.”
