FLINTSHIRE and Wrexham MPs have backed a motion to scrap winter fuel payments for thousands of pensioners in the area.

MPs voted 348 to 228 to axe the payment for all but the country’s poorest pensioners, rejecting a Tory bid for the controversial policy to be blocked. The Government’s usual working majority is 167.

People in England and Wales not in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits will lose out under the Government’s policy. It is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving around £1.4 billion this year.

Alyn & Deeside MP Mark Tami, Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins, Wrexham MP Andrew Ranger and Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr MP Steve Witherden all voted against the Tory's bid to block the policy in the Commons on Tuesday (September 10).

In Flintshire, 28,000 pensioners are losing their winter fuel payment. In Wrexham, the number stands at 22,000. 

Ministers insist that the measure is necessary in order to fill a “£22 billion black hole” in the public finances which they say was left behind by their Tory predecessors.

But some backbenchers had said they feel unable to back the cut, which will see millions of pensioners lose the £200 payment and only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits continue to receive help with their energy bills this winter.

Over 50 Labour MPs abstained from voting. However, that includes those unable to vote.