The MP for York Central has spoken out against the Government's decision to cut some winter fuel payments to pensioners.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell has challenged Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement in July over the potential axing of winter fuel payments.

If approved, the change is expected to see the number of older people that receive payments towards heating drop from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.

It is estimated that the cuts would lead to £1.4 billion in savings for the Government.

Speaking to the Press, Ms Maskell said: "I do believe that some decisions could be different.

"I represent a city that has a status as a human rights city.

"I'm doing my job as an MP, speaking up for the most vulnerable in our community."

 

Ms Maskell added that she is "urging" the Chancellor to look again at the decision.

"We cannot afford for people this winter to experience the cold in their homes," said Ms Maskell.

"I'm not playing politics with this, I'm just looking at the evidence. I am encouraging Labour to reconsider this."

Ms Maskell went on to encourage her fellow party members to challenge the decision, adding: "I believe MPs need to speak up, and I want more of my colleagues to do the same."

The announcement came shortly before the energy regulator Ofgem warned of a price cap increase to energy bills this winter.

The regulator announced the 10 per cent hike from the current £1,568 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717.

On the price cap, a Labour spokesperson said: "This price increase is the harvest of 14 years of Tory neglect and failure to prepare and invest in British-owned clean energy.

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"While they were quick to blame everybody but themselves during the energy crisis, the Tories dragged their feet on energy security and took a hammer to the renewable energy sector, with working families still paying the price."

Several MPs - including Rishi Sunak - have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM), urging the Government to back down on its policy to end the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners, and a vote on the matter in the House of Commons.

But Ms Reeves said she would limit winter fuel payments to people on income-related benefits or tax credits to ease wider fiscal pressures.

Conservative shadow treasury minister Laura Trott said: "This Labour government has tried to avoid scrutiny in Parliament for the consequences of their actions, but the public deserve better."