Alison Bennett's Monday Mail: Grenfell
Grenfell
I was in the Chamber of the House of Commons on Wednesday for the Prime Minister’s statement on the Grenfell Inquiry’s Final Report. I was struck by both the breadth and the depth of the failings that led to that devastating fire. 72 people died because of failings across government, Parliament, local government and business. The warnings first being voiced over 25 years ago in 1991.
The survivors and the bereaved families have waited too long for the truth, and now they need to see meaningful action as fast as possible. Those responsible must be held to account, and more urgency is needed to remove dangerous cladding from the thousands of buildings where it remains.
As a new parliamentarian, what I take from this is the need to listen and act on behalf of those who aren’t being heard. Hillsborough, Horizon, the Infected Blood Scandal and Grenfell acutely demonstrate that the British state keeps on failing its citizens, and needs to do so much better if we are to avoid making the same errors again and again.
Winter Fuel Payment Vote
On Tuesday, the House of Commons will debate Labour’s proposals to cut the Winter Fuel Payment to all pensioners except those in receipt of Pension Credit. I will be voting to oppose removing Winter Fuel Payments.
These plans are hugely unpopular. Certainly since they were announced in July, many, many local people have contacted me expressing their disappointment and worries about this decision, and rightly so.
It is estimated that close to one million pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it, and as this House of Lords report notes (on page 19), there are legitimate questions as to whether the haste with which this change has been brought in means that scrutiny has been cut short. For example, if there is a surge in people applying for Pension Credit, does the DWP have the capacity to process these applications in time for applicants to receive this year’s Winter Fuel Payment?
It is vital though that anyone who might be eligible for Pension Credit checks to see whether they can claim it. This guide from Money Saving Expert is a good starting point, and describes Pension Credit as a ‘gateway’ to other discounts and benefits.
The Last Word
On Thursday evening I was a panellist on ITV Meridian’s The Last Word. We discussed the forthcoming budget, Ofsted, the Conservative leadership contest and the British Social Attitudes survey about pride in Britain.
Watch The Last Word here.
Getting in touch
My parliamentary email address is: alison.bennett.mp@parliament.uk. If you need my help, please get in touch and I will do my best to help, but whilst I am still recruiting, it will take longer than usual to respond.
Best wishes,
Alison
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