The NPC Lobby of Parliament and rally protesting over cuts to the universal Winter Fuel Payment attracted huge support from MPs, charities, campaign organisations, trade unions, and crucially ordinary people of all ages.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary thanked everyone who supported the day which went really well, with around 350 at the rally alongside Unite outside Parliament, and more than 100 in the House of Commons committee room for the Lobby of MPs.
Jan said: “We heard great crucial evidence as to why these government-imposed cuts are wrong and must be reversed. There is no doubt they will cause untold hardship, illness, and indeed loss of life if they are allowed to go ahead.
“But we are heartened by the amazing support for our campaign against the government's decision. We have three weeks until the Chancellor’s Budget on 30th October, and we are going to make that time count by continuing to urge her to reverse this cruel decision.
“It is not the end – it’s the beginning.”
NPC would like to thank all the MPs who attended and spoke at the Lobby in support of our campaign, including: John McDonnell MP, Rachael Maskell MP, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP, Emma Lewell-Buck MP, Sharon Hodgson MP, Richard Burgon, Luke Taylor MP, Ian Byrne MP, Ayoub Khan MP, Bambos Charalambous MP, as well as others who dropped into the Lobby, and many more who sent their apologies.
Particular thanks go to our speakers including Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director, Age UK; Jonathan Bean, Policy and Parliament Lead, Fuel Poverty Action; Angela Madden, Chair, WASPI campaign; Maggie Roberts Vice-Chair at Unite Retired Members, Kamran Mallick, CEO, Disability Rights UK; as well as Sally Tsoukaris at CSPA who spoke at the rally, and Morgan Vine, Director of Policy & Influencing at Independent Age.
The Lobby was Chaired by NPC President Norman Jemison. There were also protests in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland led by the Scottish Pensioners’ Forum, as well as right across the UK.
We would encourage you to keep engaging with your MP, by writing to them, attending local surgeries, and speaking to them about the Winter Fuel Payment cut to keep the pressure up in the build=up to the Budget.
ENDS
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