How to lobby your MP over WFP

Key points to bear in mind if you are in contact with your MP

MANY readers have been acting on our latest article about Winter Fuel Payment, which is good to see.

Please do note, however, that MP Roger Gale has asked that we stress once again that people are asked to contact their own MPs, and not him. He is well aware of the issues involved and it is other MPs’ signatures that are required to help his efforts to have the WFP temperature test regulations annulled.

Find and contact your local MP here or here

Some readers have already shared replies from MPs which have followed a standard government line about the temperature test.

We would suggest you make sure they are aware of why the removal of the payment affects you (tell them, for example, if you have cold winters in your part of France), reminding them that they represent you if you have been abroad less than 15 years.

We would also suggest readers read through again the bullet points we provided at the end of our article if you feel your MP’s reaction did not consider all the angles we raised.

Please also let your MP know that although Sir Roger’s ‘prayer’ against the regulations is described as an ‘Early Day Motion’ (EDM), it is not a standard EDM (which many MPs see as ineffective) – this is just a formality for it to be listed on the House of Commons’ order paper for debate.

Last chance to keep expats’ WFP