MPs on Tuesday voted in The House of Commons to cut the pensioner allowance for Winter Fuel payments meaning only those on pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits will receive it now.   

This will hit around 10 million pensioners. A Conservative motion against this was defeated by 348 votes to 228. Macclesfield MP, Tim Roca (Labour), was one of those who voted in favour. 

52 Labour MPs did not take part in the vote. One Labour MP voted against the government.

Macclesfield Nub News has contacted Tim Roca MP for comment.

Posting on Facebook, Tim explained his decision.

"Today, I voted in Parliament to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance," he wrote.

"This decision aims to target Winter Fuel Payments to protect the poorest pensioners on Pension Credit, while also safeguarding our vital public services, like the NHS and policing, by starting to close the £22 billion black hole left in our country's public finances by the Conservatives.

"This is not a decision I wanted to make, and I am fully aware of how difficult this choice is. I am not remotely happy with having had to vote to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance for some pensioners, but I reached this decision for three key reasons."

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The reasons he cited - which can be read in full on this link - claimed that 'The Labour government's commitment to ensure every pensioner is better off' was the first reason, the second was the '£22 billion black hole in public finances left by the Conservative government', and the third being 'the most vulnerable pensioners would be protected'.

Macclesfield Conservative Association criticised his vote on social media.

Also yesterday, Tim Roca also asked a question about aid being sped up to Ukraine, which you can witness HERE.

Tim Roca was elected as Macclesfield's first Labour member of parliament, in July 2023.