LABOUR members have hit out at their own party over the vote to cut the winter fuel allowance.

Millions of pensioners will lose winter fuel payments this year after the government won a vote on the plan to restrict the payments to only the poorest pensioners.

Three Labour members on Cumberland Council – Joseph Ghayouba (Bransty), Mike Hawkins (Mirehouse) and Linda Jones-Bulman (Cleator Moor East and Frizington) - have spoken out publicly against the decision.

Cllrs Ghyaouba and Hawkins have also criticised Josh MacAlister, the Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, for voting in favour of the cut.

Posting on social media, Cllr Ghayouba said: “I'd like to make it clear that this, along with the continuation of the George Osborne child benefit cap, are policies which will cause a great deal of hardship for people that a Labour government should be supporting.

“The last 14 years of austerity have been a disaster and failed to improve our lives or our economy. We have to end austerity, not continue its policies.

“If I was in Parliament I would have voted against the removal of the winter fuel allowance, I am disappointed that the Labour Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington did not do this.

“We don’t need to penalise pensioners to fix the problems the Conservatives gave us. The richest 50 families in this country have more wealth than half our population. The tough choice is to look to those with the broadest shoulders to pay a little bit extra, not penalise those struggling to get by.”

Cllr Ghayouba told The Whitehaven News that he would be doing all he could to support any pensioners impacted by the ‘incorrect decision made at Westminster’.

Cllr Hawkins wrote: “The controversy over the winter fuel allowance for pensioners goes back to 1997 when the last Labour government introduced it. I remember at the time the argument about making it means tested but it was decided that this would discourage people who needed it from claiming, so everyone eligible received it regardless of income.

“It wasn’t perfect, nothing rarely is when it comes to benefits, but it ensures that nobody is left out. It is something that a civilised society should be proud of.

"So as a Labour councillor who represents people who will be affected I am disappointed and sad that it’s a Labour government that has decided to scrap this payment for millions. And our MP should have voted against it.”

Cllr Jones-Bulman posted: “As a Labour elected councillor for Cleator Moor East/Frizington I have to apologise to all my constituents who will be affected by today’s voting. Cutting the winter fuel allowance along with the cap on 2 Child Policy, is not acceptable.

“If everyone in the country who is entitled to claim pension credits the cost would be two billion pounds = no savings.”

In a lengthy statement on social media, Josh MacAlister said: “I want you to know that I share your anger. This isn’t a decision I wanted to make. It’s not what I was elected to do. I was immensely proud to meet thousands of older people across West Cumbria during the campaign and honoured to receive the backing of so many of you in the election. I don’t take that for granted.

“Unfortunately, the total mess the Conservatives left the country’s finances in forced the Chancellor to make this and other very difficult decisions once the extent of the Tory black hole was revealed.”

Mr MacAlister went on to say that the Winter Fuel Allowance would still be paid to those receiving pension credit and that people who fall just outside the threshold for pension credit could benefit from the Household Support Fund until next year.

He added that the triple lock on the state pension would be safe under Labour.

A Labour spokesperson said: “We know these are tough choices, especially on winter fuel. They are not the choices we wanted to make or expected to make, but they were the right choices to put our country on a firmer footing. Because by taking the tough decisions now to protect the public finances we can begin the process of change.

“This government will protect the triple lock on pensions, which saw the basic state rise by £900 this year and a further rise will be announced at the Budget next month.

“We are under no illusions - especially after advice from officials - that if no action had been taken to repair the Conservatives’ black hole then it would have put financial stability at risk, including the risk of higher debt, higher mortgages and higher costs for the future. This government was not prepared to let that happen.”