The House of Commons has voted to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, reducing the number of beneficiaries from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faced significant internal dissent but passed the measure by 348 votes to 228, arguing it will save £1.4 billion to help address a £22 billion deficit. Critics, including some Labour MPs and opposition parties, warn that the cuts could lead to increased hardship and even life-threatening situations for older people. The Conservative motion to block the cuts was defeated despite 53 Labour MPs abstaining and one voting against the government. Labour insists the cuts will target resources to those most in need, while the Conservatives and other opposition members argue it will burden the NHS and increase winter deaths. MPs raised concerns that many pensioners might resort to extreme measures to stay warm, such as riding buses all day or going to bed early.