Reeves defends £4,400 heating claim for second home amid pensioner winter fuel payment cuts

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confronted criticism after justifying her resolution to say £4,400 in taxpayer-funded bills for heating her second dwelling, a day after MPs voted to scrap winter gas funds of as much as £300 for tens of millions of pensioners. The choice comes as the federal government strikes to chop advantages for pensioners whereas sustaining expense claims for MPs.

In an interview with GB Information, Reeves defended her bills, arguing that MPs are required to keep up two houses—one in London and one of their constituency. “Nicely, being a constituency MP implies that you must have a home in London in addition to, after all, residing within the constituency, and that’s the identical for all MPs,” Reeves acknowledged. “These are longstanding guidelines.”

Reeves emphasised her dedication to defending probably the most weak, stating, “I’m decided to make sure that the poorest pensioners are protected and can nonetheless get winter gas funds, and certainly, to make sure that pension incomes proceed to extend with the triple lock.”

Evaluation has revealed that over the previous 5 years, Reeves has claimed £3,700 in taxpayer cash for power payments. The Chancellor’s defence of her bills comes amid a backlash from greater than 50 Labour MPs who defied celebration chief Sir Keir Starmer by refusing to vote for his plan to scrap the winter gas funds.

The controversy highlights the continued debate over MPs’ bills and the notion of equity, particularly as pensioners put together to lose a key monetary assist in the course of the colder months. As public scrutiny intensifies, Reeves’ expense claims are more likely to stay a contentious problem, elevating questions concerning the stability between MPs’ entitlements and the wants of atypical residents.