‘A civilised country would not be opening public buildings to keep elderly warm’

A civilised country would not be preparing to open public buildings so the elderly can keep warm this winter.

It would not be forcing pensioners to choose between heating or eating.

And it would not be prepared to accept a situation where people could freeze to death.

Yet that is the prospect facing the elderly over the coming months.

By January the average annual energy bill could be more than half of the state pension.

No wonder the charity Independent Age is warning that millions of over 65s are set for a devastating winter.

Nearly two-thirds of pensioners plan to reduce heating, one in five will cut back on eating and one in seven will be forced to use no heating at all.

The next PM will be judged on the level of support they provide for the older generation.

It would be reprehensible if the Tories fail to keep people warm, stop them going hungry and prevent them dying from cold.

Lack of Truss

Not for the first time, Liz Truss has failed to engage her brain before opening her mouth.

In a bid to woo the Tory faithful she has sug-gested motorway speed limits could be axed.

Campaigners have warned this will make roads more dangerous, increase pollution and put lives at risk.

This is not the only gaffe by the Tory frontrunner. Her economic plans have been branded suicidal, she has strained relations with one of our closest allies by smearing France’s President Emmanuel Macron and she has been forced to U-turn on regional pay.

Ms Truss may be speeding to victory in the leadership race but there are worrying signs her time in No10 will be a car crash.

Toast to Bill

Bill Turnbull was as kind, warm and funny off the screen as he was on it.

For millions he was as much a part of breakfast as cornflakes, tea and toast.