Mark Ferguson

Mark Ferguson

Labour — Gateshead Central and Whickham

Speaking in the House of Commons on 19 March 2025

Debate

Winter Fuel Payment

Contribution

As I have said, the Opposition’s time is being taken up, not mine, so I will draw this entertaining speech to a close. I am pleased that Opposition Members are proud of their position on the winter fuel payment. I am very happy for them. But under their Government, the winter fuel allowance was never increased. By my own assessment, it went down by around a third in real terms; the Minister said around 50%, and it is a matter of public record that he is far better at numbers than me, so I defer to him. If the Opposition care about the most vulnerable, they also have to care about our national health service and support the action being taken on the triple lock, and they must consider why in 14 years of government the winter fuel allowance was increased zero times.

More from Mark Ferguson

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Mark Ferguson's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Mark Ferguson report card.