Whitehaven and Workington’s MP Josh MacAlister has come out and shared his “anger” after the Winter Fuel Payment vote.

After the vote on Tuesday, September 10, where the Labour Government defeated the Conservatives attempt to stop the changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance, Labour MP Josh MacAlister took to social media.

In the post he thanked everyone who contacted him on Facebook and by e-mail to express their views.

He then went on to say: “I want you to know that I share your anger. This isn’t a decision I wanted to make.

“It’s not what I was elected to do. I was immensely proud to meet thousands of older people across West Cumbria during the campaign and honoured to receive the backing of so many of you in the election. I don’t take that for granted.”

He then went on to explain that due to the country’s finances the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves had to make this and other very difficult decisions to try and close the £22 billion gap in government spending.

Saying: “In short, they (former government) ran out of money two weeks before payday and just kept on spending, because they knew it would be someone else’s problem after the election.

“It’s disgraceful. And they should show some humility and apologise.”

Moving away for the “blame game” the Whitehaven and Workington MP went on to say what he and the government would be looking to implement.

Pension Credit

The Government is running a campaign to raise awareness and get the 800,000+ people across the country who are eligible but not claiming it signed up.

As the Winter Fuel Allowance will still be paid to those receiving pension credit. If you’re not receiving pension credit check your eligibility at http://www.gov.uk/pension-credit.

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund, which was due to run out in September has been extended with £421 million committed to extend it to next year.

More about the Household Support Fund and apply how to apply for help through Cumberland Council can be found at http://www.cumberland.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/cost-living-support

Warm Homes Plan

The Whitehaven and Workington MP is pushing for West Cumbria to be a pilot area for the government’s Warm Homes Plan, which will insulate and upgrade millions of homes and slash energy bills saying he has “met with and written to the Minister about this.”

Lower Energy Bills

MacAlister says energy bills are lower this winter than they were last winter.

The energy price cap is £266 lower than it was last autumn and the Labour government’s fast action to ramp up domestic clean energy production to wean us off foreign gas and oil will bring bills down further in the coming years.

State Pension ‘Triple Lock’

In a pre-election promise, the MP made to local pensioners, that the Triple Lock on the state pension was safe under Labour and the Chancellor has made that commitment again this week.

In his final comments the MP added: “I’m fighting to upgrade thousands of the coldest homes in West Cumbria which will bring down bills even further.

“It’s easy for those not in a position of responsibility to oppose this, but we were elected to make difficult choices and fix the mess the Tories made.

“Ultimately, we have to fix the foundations and get the public finances back under control to stabilise and grow the economy so that we have the money we need to invest in the other things I know local pensioners care about – like fixing our broken NHS and investing in public transport.

“You may not be satisfied with my answer but I hope you understand the position we’ve been forced into and see that I am doing what I can to ensure those pensioners who really need this support are still able to get it.”