Proceeding contribution from David Leslie Taylor (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 15 July 2009. It occurred during Opposition day on Caring for the Elderly.

Caring for the Elderly

I was speaking to a pensioner in Norfolk just a few days ago who knew that the take-up rate for the winter fuel allowance is very high indeed. What she will not have known is that just 58 weeks ago today, my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) asked the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson),""are the Tories now making a commitment to keep the winter fuel allowance if they win the election?"" The hon. Gentleman said:""I will not make any commitments two years from an election".—[Official Report, 4 June 2008; Vol. 476, c. 841.]" We are now 58 weeks on, and 42 weeks and one day from the likely date of the election. When will the Opposition be clear about whether they support the winter fuel allowance? An assertion that they have no plans to cut it is not equivalent to an endorsement that they are going to continue—

Secondary information

Type: Proceeding contribution
Reference: 496 c377-8
Session: 2008-09
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Disability Finance Pensioners Low incomes Poverty Older people Means-tested benefits Social security benefits State retirement pensions Social services
Link: View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk

Caring for the Elderly

Secondary information

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