Starmer under fresh attack for ‘unbelievably foolish’ winter fuel payment cuts
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh criticism over his Government’s decision to cull winter fuel payments, with millions of pensioners set to lose out from Monday.
Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly said it was an “unbelievably foolish choice” while Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain said means-testing the payment worth up to £300 was a “historic mistake”.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have insisted the decision was necessary to help address a £22 billion “black hole” in the public finances this year that they inherited from the Conservatives.
From this winter, only people on pension credit or other specific benefits will be eligible to receive the discount, while about 10 million others are set to be stripped of the allowance.
Historic
Around 71% of those with a disability and 83% of those aged 80 or over will now miss out on the payment.
People will only receive the payment if they meet the eligibility criteria at some point this week.
Pensioners will receive a letter in October or November informing them if they will receive the benefit, with the payment made in November or December.
Ms Chamberlain said: “This new Government is set to make a historic mistake today as millions of pensioners see their winter fuel payments cut.
“Scrapping winter fuel payments for most pensioners including many in poverty is completely wrong. It’s not too late for ministers to change course.
“Liberal Democrats will fight tooth and nail to reverse this cut. We’ll be using our record number of MPs in Parliament to hold the Government to account on this issue and fight for a fair deal for pensioners.”
Writing in the Daily Express, shadow home secretary Mr Cleverly said: “Stripping millions of pensioners of their winter fuel payment, without a democratic mandate, is an unbelievably foolish choice.”
“The changes coming into force mean that a shocking 71% of pensioners with a disability will lose payments; an appalling figure.
“By their own admission, the Labour government have not done a full impact assessment and we are now seeing figures that show that hundreds of thousands of people will miss out on support they are entitled to.”
He added: “We don’t know what they will do next, but you can be sure it’ll cost everyday hardworking people who deserve much better.”
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Hit the ground running, we will fight them on the stair-lift and the Steppes…
I wonder if this champion of human rights spoke up for the drowned of Europe’s moat…
Mare Nostrum…
In what way are the politicians and their rich college friends contributing to this mysterious black hole?
Ms Cooper seems to agree that the UK or at least the RNLI insist that those in peril on the sea are saved whereas the EU’s aim is certainly ambiguous but likely to be much darker…the prognosis is not encouraging…
This man is oblivious to his position as head of the labour party, the party that used to fight for the lower paid, how things chainge he thinks he leads the Tory party.
The Laour party is more right wing than the Tory party.
This was foolish as Starmer and Reeves the fuel thieves could easily have recouped a large sum by making it taxable for the majority at 20% and then for those who really did not need the money claw it back pound for pound above the 40% threshold. That would have been understandable for the vast majority.
Loads of black holes throughout our society most of them caused by tax avoidance, evasion, mitigation etc all closely linked to the seriously rich and very high earners that Labour just envy and love. “Schmooze closer” say Starmer and Reeves, the rush they get from being close to big money is well worth the pain inflicted on pensioners and benefit claimants.
I note the BBC are now running interference for Labour on this with sympathetic articles appearing over the weekend along the lines of “I use my winter fuel payment for holidays” seeking to imply that becaue a relatively few wealthier pensioners do this, Labour are right to remove it for all. Pathetic.
Here’s what Labour had to say when the Tories suggested a cut to the allowance, so what’s changed? Angela Rayner: “The Tories want to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners in England but not in Scotland? Why do they treat pensioners so badly in England?” Ed Miliband: “All evidence suggests 10 million pensioners lose winter fuel allowance w/Tory plan. If they want to deny, let them say how many will lose.” Chris Bryant: “How many pensioners will lose the winter fuel allowance? 6 million? 10 million? Simple question. No answer. Tories just want blank cheque.” David Williams: “A Labour Government will retain Winter Fuel Allowance and free… Read more »
They clearly don’t care a jot about optics, what with taking the WFA away from most pensioners, not abolishing the two-child cap and now cosying up to neo-fascists in Italy over treatment of refugees.