Many constituents have expressed concerns about changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. I understand the strength of feeling. It is frustrating for me too.

I wanted to share with you the steps I am taking as your MP to mitigate the impact of these changes, as well as other ways you can get support if you are affected. Firstly, I put my name to a motion in Parliament on Monday calling for the creation of a government strategy to help with fuel poverty, health inequality, and low incomes among older people. I put my name to another motion on Thursday calling for a lowering of the Pension Credit threshold, to allow more pensioners to keep claiming the Winter Fuel Payment, which remains in place for the worst off.

I have raised all these concerns with the Treasury and will continue to do so. They have confirmed that the threshold will be reviewed. The triple lock on pensions of course remains in place – because of this, pensions have increased by £900 this year, and the state pension will continue to increase by more than £1000 over the course of this Parliament.

If you are affected by the changes, please get in touch with my team and we will do everything we can to help you get support. My email is steve.witherden.mp@parliament.uk. Finally, I would encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify for Pension Credit to apply for it. You can do so by going to this address online (www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility) or calling this number (0800991234). If you qualify for Pension Credit, you qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.

I regret that the government has had to take the difficult decision to limit the payment to only the very worst off. With the public finances as bad as they are after 14 years of Conservative failure, voting with the government to change the payment was the responsible decision, however unpopular. My top priority remains to bring prosperity back to our communities, so future governments are not forced to make the same difficult decisions.