GLASGOW Labour MPs have said cutting the winter fuel allowance was not a decision they wanted to make.

Earlier this week, a bid by the Conservatives to force a U-turn on the decision to means test the £300 payment to just those pensioners on the poorest incomes was defeated by Labour in the House of Commons.

The decision only applies in England and Wales, but the Scottish Government said it means it will lose £160m from its budget and it will have to make the same cut.

READ NEXT: Winter fuel payment: how the Glasgow Labour MPs voted

The initial decision and subsequent vote have been met with disappointment and dismay, particularly among older people's organisations.

So, we decided to give our MPs the opportunity to explain why they voted the way they did.

The Glasgow Times asked the city’s six Labour MPs, all of who voted with the Government in favour of the cut, to give their reasons why they voted the way they did.

Across the UK more than 50 Labour MPs did not vote and one voted in favour of keeping the payments for all pensioners.

The Government still won the vote 348 to 227.

We also asked Zubir Ahmed, Glasgow South, Maureen Burke, Glasgow North East, Patricia Ferguson, Glasgow West, John Grady, Glasgow East, Gordon McKee, Glasgow South and Martin Rhodes, Glasgow North if they believed pensioners just above the pension credit level had the “broadest shoulders” to bear the burned of economic failings of the previous government.

Four of the city’s MPs responded and provided very similar statements stating no-one wanted to make this decision, highlighting the “£22bn black hole” and adding the Scottish Government is also to means test the payment.

Their responses are below:

John Grady, Glasgow East, said: “This was not a decision anyone wanted to make. The last government wrecked our economy, leaving a £22bn black hole in the public finances. They made commitments they couldn’t pay for, covered it up and ran away. By contrast, the last Labour government lifted hundreds of thousands of pensioners out of poverty.”

“The vote does not change the position in Scotland – this vote only affects people in England and Wales. That is because from October, the Winter Fuel Allowance is devolved, and the Scottish Parliament will soon vote on eligibility in Scotland. The Scottish Government have also made the decision to means test the winter fuel payment.

“Under this Government pensioners' incomes will continue to increase this year. Last year, the state pension increased by £900 and next year we expect it to increase by around £400. The Government have absolutely guaranteed the triple lock on pensions for the lifetime of this Parliament, meaning that pension income will always rise and never fall – a guarantee that is a significant financial commitment over the course of the Parliament.”

Gordon McKee, Glasgow: "This was not a decision anyone wanted to make but we have the worst economic inheritance since the Second World War. The Tories left a £22bn black hole in the public finances by making spending commitments they couldn't pay for, and knew they never would have to pay for.

“The vote last night (Tuesday) only directly impacts those in England and Wales, as from October the Winter Fuel Allowance is devolved, and the Scottish Parliament will soon vote on eligibility in Scotland. It's worth noting that the Scottish Government have made the same decision to means test the payment.

“Last year, the state pension increased by £900 and next year we expect it to increase by around £400. The Government have absolutely guaranteed the triple lock on pensions for the lifetime of this Parliament, meaning that pension income will always rise and never fall.”

Martin Rhodes; Glasgow North: "This was not a decision the government wanted to make. But the last government wrecked our economy, creating a £22bn black hole in the public finances. They made commitments they couldn’t pay for and then left it for others to clear up the mess.

“It should be noted that the decision this week relates to the Winter Fuel Payment for England and Wales. The Scottish Government have control of the payment in Scotland and they announced last week their intention to means test the winter fuel payment in Scotland.

“The Government has guaranteed the triple lock on pensions for the lifetime of this Parliament, meaning that pension income will always rise and never fall.”

Patricia Ferguson, Glasgow West MP: “This was a very difficult decision and not one that I or any colleague would have wanted to make.  The new Government has been left with a £22bn black hole in our public finances, thanks to the actions of the previous Tory Government. They made commitments they couldn’t pay for, covered it up and left it for someone else to sort out.

“The vote does not change the position in Scotland as this vote only affects people in England and Wales. That is because from October, the Winter Fuel Allowance is devolved, and the Scottish Parliament will have to decide on eligibility in Scotland. The Scottish Government have also indicated that they will means test the winter fuel payment.

“With this Government’s commitment to the triple lock, for the lifetime of this parliament, pensioner incomes will increase this year. Last year, the state pension increased by £900 and next year it is expected to increase by approximately £400.”

So far Maureen Burke and Zubir Ahmed have not responded.