MP Beccy Cooper has explained why she abstained from the vote to cut the winter fuel allowance.

The Labour MP for Worthing West was among 52 who abstained on Tuesday.

She said: "I was unable to attend the winter fuel payment debate yesterday due to illness.

"While I support the proposal to make the payment a targeted benefit rather than a universal one, I have public health concerns about its implementation and will be writing to the relevant ministers regarding these concerns.

"My team and I will be proactively supporting and working with the Department for Work and Pensions, the local authority and local organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau to ensure residents can access pension credits and get the support they need."

A Tory motion against the move to cut the winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners was quashed by 348 votes to 228.

All those in favour came from the governing party including Sussex's other Labour MPs.

MP Beccy Cooper in the House of Commons (Image: UK Parliament)

READ MORE: Government says it will not ‘water down’ winter fuel payment squeeze

They were Hove MP Peter Kyle, Helena Dollimore (Hasting and Rye), Peter Lamb (Crawley), Tom Rutland (East Worthing and Shoreham) and Chris Ward (Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven).

There were 72 votes against the cut  by Liberal Democrat MPs, including the five from Sussex - Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex), Josh Babarinde (Eastbourne), Jess Brown-Fuller (Chichester), James MacCleary (Lewes) and John Milne (Horsham). 

'This isn’t just a matter of financial strain—it’s about health.' (Image: Liberal Democrats)

MP James MacCleary said: “Ever since the government announced their plans to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners I’ve been hearing from countless local residents who are disappointed and genuinely worried.

“This isn’t just a matter of financial strain—it’s about health."

One hundred and 12 Tories voted against the cut. These included four out of the five Sussex Conservatives -  Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs), Alison Griffiths (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton), Mims Davies (East Grinstead and Uckfield) and Kieran Mullan (Bexhill and Battle).

MP Nusrat Ghani in the House of Commons (Image: PA)

Tory Nusrat Ghani, who represents Sussex Weald, had to abstain due to her role as deputy speaker.

But she said: “I know from my correspondence and constituency surgeries that this issue is hugely important and worrying to Sussex Weald residents.

“I recognise the concern and distress that the changes to winter fuel payment entitlements have caused to those that were previously eligible to receive it. I will continue to do everything I can to support those pensioners who need my assistance and continue to raise individual cases to ministers to ensure that the impact of these changes on Sussex Weald residents is fully recognised.”

The four Green Party MPs also voted against the cut, including Sian Berry who represents Brighton Pavilion.

MP Sian Berry in the House of Commons = (Image: UK Parliament)

She said: "The reckless plan to cut winter fuel payments amounts to an unjustified and cruel assault on pensioners’ finances, mental and physical health.

“Whilst the lack of more substantial opposition from Labour MPs is a disappointing signal that most will answer only to the Labour whips – and not to their constituents or their conscience.”