I met with pensioners worried about Labour’s choice to cut winter fuel payments.
They had a message for Keir Starmer: support the @Conservatives motion in Parliament to protect pensioners.
100,000+ people have signed the petition at https://t.co/Ddqm0HZ46b – will Labour listen? pic.twitter.com/Tr39G3eEDp
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 10, 2024
The government’s decision to cut the winter fuel allowance has left many UK pensioners feeling abandoned and worried about affording essential heating during the colder months. Despite facing significant opposition, the government successfully defended the controversial move in a recent vote. John, a 75-year-old from Hartlepool, shared his concerns.
Conservative MPs lead a protest outside Parliament ahead of today's crucial vote on Labour’s cuts to winter fuel payments.
Visit https://t.co/Zf07NYtKp2 to support. pic.twitter.com/ofQjz8i2FU
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) September 10, 2024
“I was made redundant from my job in construction when I was 58, and I’ve received the winter fuel payment every year since then. This has helped pay for gas and electricity bills.” He added, “Now we’ll either have to turn the heating off or cut down on food. The government has robbed us pensioners.”
Juliet, a 75-year-old retired teacher from Northampton, expressed her disappointment with the Labour government’s decision.
Politics is about choices.
Today, the Labour government will claim they have no choice but to strip some of the most vulnerable people in society of the winter fuel payment.
But this is the truth about the economy they've inherited 👇 pic.twitter.com/sC45zxuBao
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) September 10, 2024
“I’m worried how the cold will affect my mental and physical health. I live in an uninsulated rented cottage and receive housing benefit to help.
pensioners protest fuel allowance cuts
Welsh Labour MPs were elected on a promise of no austerity under Labour.
None of them voted against the cut to the winter fuel payment today.
All Plaid Cymru MPs voted to protect pensioners this winter. https://t.co/ODItWH3xR4
— Plaid Cymru 🏴 (@Plaid_Cymru) September 10, 2024
I’m already wearing a thermal vest and all my winter clothes – in truth, I can’t afford to put the heating on.”
Katherine, a 78-year-old retired publisher from Oxford, acknowledged that while she and her husband do not need the payment, many older people still do. “I feel very strongly about the way it’s being implemented. There are still many older people who need the winter fuel payment but won’t be getting it because of the threshold for eligibility.”
The changes mean that only the poorest pensioners receiving benefits such as pension credit, universal credit, or income support will receive the £200-300 payment to help with heating bills.
Critics argue that limiting the payment based on a certain tax threshold would be a clearer approach. As winter approaches, the potential impact of these cuts on millions of pensioners has raised concerns among organizations like Age UK. Caroline Abrahams from Age UK highlighted the increased risk of fuel poverty and the chilling effects these cuts could have on vulnerable populations.
The controversial decision has also sparked a broader debate about the Labour Party’s strategy under the leadership of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves. Some question whether their approach aligns with the party’s foundational values and if it will ultimately lead to the government’s downfall.
