Winter Fuel Payment

Chris McDonald Excerpts

Monday 9th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Torsten Bell]

The hon. Lady’s question gives me the opportunity to praise the work done by all kinds of charities—in some cases through supporting pension credit uptake and, in the case of better funded foundations, providing direct support to pensioners. That is all very welcome. She is right to raise the wider question about sources of energy, but of course the winter fuel payment is a cash benefit that can be used for all kinds of energy.

[Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Lab)]

The decision to restore the winter fuel payment to those earning under £35,000 a year is the right decision. I thank the Minister and his predecessor for their constructive engagement with representations from my constituents in Stockton, Billingham and Norton on the threshold issue, but does he agree with my constituent who wrote to me to say that, although welcome, the winter fuel payment is not a silver bullet, and this Government’s commitment to the triple lock stands in stark contrast to the previous Conservative Government’s breaking of that triple lock in 2022, which is still costing my constituents hundreds of pounds a year?

[Torsten Bell]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, and he is right to say that we should focus on the big changes we are making to support pensioners, which in England are rescuing the NHS and raising the basic and the new state pension.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris McDonald Excerpts

Monday 3rd February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Stephen Timms]

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. I recently met a very impressive group of young people who have managed to navigate their way through education while also having very heavy caring responsibilities. We are working closely with the Department for Education, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Carers Trust and the Learning and Work Institute to make sure that we are providing the support young carers need.

[Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Lab)]

T8. My constituent Darren, an unpaid carer, was wrongly refused a refund for prescription charges when moving from income support to universal credit. Does my right hon. Friend agree with me that there should be no gap in support in such circumstances?

[Sir Stephen Timms]

Yes, I do agree with my hon. Friend, and I am grateful to him for highlighting that case. We have asked the Department for Health and Social Care to review its decision in that case—I hope with a positive outcome.

Women’s State Pension Age Communication: PHSO Report

Chris McDonald Excerpts

Tuesday 17th December 2024 Commons Chamber

[Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Lab)]

I thank the Secretary of State for her statement and for the apology of behalf of the Government. As she has acknowledged, many of the brave and courageous WASPI women in my constituency will feel bitterly disappointed by this decision. Does she agree that the cornerstone of pensioner finances is this Government’s commitment to the triple lock? That stands in stark contrast to the Conservative Government’s breaking of the triple lock in 2022, which cost many pensioners in my constituency hundreds of pounds a year.

[Liz Kendall]

My hon. Friend states the fact that the Conservatives broke the triple lock two years ago. Indeed, their shadow Chancellor says that it is unsustainable. I am sure that his constituents will hear those comments loud and clear.