Wes Streeting claims pensioners will likely be ‘higher off’ this winter – regardless of fears 4,000 may die after Labour minimize gasoline allowance

Wes Streeting yesterday claimed pensioners will be ‘better off’ this winter despite fears 4,000 could die after Labour cut their fuel allowance.

The Health Secretary refused to say if his department has done any assessment on potential deaths linked to the change.

But he told MPs on the Commons health and social care committee he is confident there will not be a ‘fatalistic outcome’.

The Labour Party claimed in 2017 that 4,000 people could die if the then Conservative government removed the winter fuel allowance.

However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced this July that the handout would be limited to only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits, as part of measures aimed at filling a ‘black hole’ in the public finances.

Asked if the Department of Health and Social Care had done an impact assessment into potential deaths, Mr Streeting said: ‘Because of the choices that the Chancellor has made, particularly on protecting the state pension through the triple lock – even taking into account the decisions she’s taken on winter fuel allowance – pensioners will still be better off this winter than they were last winter, and will be better off next winter further still.

‘And of course, one of the reasons it gives me confidence to stand by that assertion is she has protected winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners and put in place financial support, which I think will make a real difference to people.’

When asked if he meant not a single pensioner will die because of the move, Mr Streeting replied: ‘I can stand by very strongly the sense that because the state pension is rising in the way that it is, and because of the decisions the Chancellor has taken to protect the poorest pensioners – I admit an unpopular decision with people who’ve lost a winter fuel allowance – but not one that will lead to that fatalistic outcome.’

The Labour Party claimed in 2017 that 4,000 people could die if the then Conservative government removed the winter fuel allowance

Wes Streeting yesterday claimed pensioners will be ‘better off’ this winter despite fears 4,000 could die after Labour cut their fuel allowance

Meanwhile Mr Streeting was challenged over National Insurance hikes, with MPs suggesting that plans to increase contributions, coupled with the health allocation in the budget were ‘taking with one hand and giving with the other’.

After he was presented with a summary of the potential costs for GPs, pharmacies, hospices and social care providers, Mr Streeting said: ‘I don’t accept those figures on the basis I haven’t set up financial allocations for the year ahead, so we won’t know the net impact one way or another.’

He added: ‘The amount of money given to the Department for Health and Social Care dwarfs employer National Insurance contributions from the health and social care sectors.’

Mr Streeting also committed to publishing a plan for social care in the new year and to protecting the Mental Health Investment Standard, which ensures spending on mental health care grows at the same rate as other health services.

Layla Moran, chairman of the committee, said: ‘We were reassured to hear (the Secretary of State) say that, contrary to recent rumours, the Government will not be rowing back on the Mental Health Investment Standard.

‘The MHIS is vital to ensure that funding for mental health is ring fenced.

‘Equally, we were intrigued to hear that a plan for a plan on social care may be coming in the new year.

‘Urgent action on social care is sorely needed, and the Committee expressed concern over any prevarication.’