Keir Starmer has claimed that pensioners would still be “better off” despite scrapping Winter Fuel Payments for more than ten million elderly Brits – and we want to hear your thoughts.
The Prime Minister’s comments come after the controversial cuts to the scheme, which provides support of up to £300 for those aged 66 and over. In July, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the payments would be means-tested, meaning only those born before September 23, 1958, and claiming either Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit, are eligible.
Labour claims the move was necessary to fill the £22billion financial black hole left by the Tories, as cabinet minister Lisa Nandy defended: “We are doing everything we can with the Work and Pensions Secretary to deal with this enormous black hole and this appalling economic inheritance.”
Government estimates show that the decision to axe winter fuel payments mean around 450,000 elderly people will be pushed into relative poverty and 300,000 into absolute poverty by 2030 after housing costs. However, Keir has insisted that older Brits would still be “better off” due to the increase in the state pension, adding that the figures also failed to take account of the household support fund and warm home discount scheme.
Speaking at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the PM said: “And of course, on top of that, as we now know, the figure for the increase in state pensions for next year under the triple lock, because we’ve stabilised the economy, is about £470.
“And therefore pensioners will be better off because we’ve stabilised the economy.” He added that the Scottish Labour policy on reinstating winter fuel payments was “one of the features of devolution”.
“There are, not infrequently, different approaches taken in different nations across the United Kingdom,” Kier said. Meanwhile, Tory shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately slammed: “Finally the dam breaks and we get to see what Labour have known all along.
“Labour made a political choice to give inflation busting pay rises to their union paymasters, and now 100,000 pensioners are going to be plunged into poverty.” There has been opposition to the cuts from several places – an online petition calling for the government to reverse their decision currently has over 18,000 signatures.
This petition will now be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate, as it has passed the 10,000 signature threshold required. Following the PM’s latest comments, we want to know if you think pensioners will be better off despite winter fuel cuts? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.