Labour accused of ‘breaking rules’ by withholding winter fuel impact assessment

Mr Philp explained that on Aug 30, Dr Luke Evans, a Tory MP, tabled a written question to Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, to ask whether an equality impact assessment would be published into proposed changes to winter fuel payments. However, the following day, after the House had risen for parliamentary recess, Ms Kendall’s department published the impact assessment in response to a freedom of information request. “It is appalling that on Sept 10, members of this House were asked to vote on the motion, while the equalities analysis that the Government released on Sept 13 was clearly available, but the Government chose to withhold it from members before the vote.” He went on to argue that he can “only conclude” the Government “deliberately withheld important information from the House, about a callous policy that will impact millions of our constituents”. As a result, there would not be a timely opportunity for members of this House to question the Government about the impact that cutting winter fuel payments will have on their constituents.” The impact assessment, published by the Government on Sept 13, revealed the groups of elderly people most likely to be affected by the Chancellor’s decision.