1 week Ago By [email protected] (Dave Burke)
Keir Starmer has admitted that his Government is "going to have to be unpopular" as he faces a rebellion over Winter Fuel Payments. The Prime Minister is braced for a battle in the Commons as critics hit back over plans to cut payments to around 10million pensioners. He argues he has no choice because of the chaos left behind the Tories , but critics warn it could pile misery on the elderly and even lead to a rise in excess deaths.
Speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, the PM admitted that not everyone will be happy. He accused the Tories of running away from decisions, such as cutting Winter Fuel Payments. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that the payments, of up to £300, would be means tested.
This means only those who receive Pension Credit or other benefits would receive it, a move that will save taxpayers around £1.4billion this financial year. It comes as the Government grapples with a £22billion black hole left by the Tories.
But 10 Labour MPs have signed a motion opposing the move, giving an indication of the strength of feeling. Mr Starmer told Ms Kuenssberg that the only way to change the country is to do "difficult things now". "I know they are unpopular", he conceded.
The PM said previous Governments had "run away from difficult decisions". He went on to say that Labour can only keep the promises it made to voters if he acted in his first few months in office. Mr Starmer said: "I’m convinced that because they’ve run away from difficult decisions, we haven't got the change we need for the country.
" The PM added he is "absolutely convinced we will only deliver that change, I’m absolutely determined we will, if we do the difficult things now. I know they’re unpopular, I know they’re difficult, of course they’re tough choices." And in a dig at his predecessors, he said: "Popular decisions aren’t tough, they are easy.
" Seven Labour MPs were suspended after voting with the SNP demanding the two child benefit cap was lifted. Mr Starmer can expect more dissent in the Commons on Tuesday when MPs vote on Winter Fuel Payments. In a scathing attack on the policy, Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell said she fears pensioners will die as a result.
She wrote in The Telegraph: “We know that being cold leads to stroke, heart attacks, pneumonia, hyperthermia and so much more as the body wrestles to keep warm, and viruses prey on the frail." And Ms Maskell continued: “The fear is that, if we withdraw winter fuel payments for those in fuel poverty, it will lead to excess deaths.” Another disgruntled backbencher said the move, coupled with the refusal to scrap the two-child benefit limit, has caused anger.
They said: "There's people right across the political divide who are very unhappy. They need to consider a u-turn over the winter fuel payments. I think this is going to ramp up, there's a lot of angry people out there.
" What is the Winter Fuel Payment? The Winter Fuel Payment was brought in back in 1997, when Labour returned to power. It is designed to ensure pensioners can afford to pay their energy bills when temperatures drop. Under the current rules, Winter Fuel Payments are available to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who is over state pension age - regardless of your income.
The exact date changes every year, but most recently, this included those born on or before September 24, 1957. How are Winter Fuel Payments changing? If you live in England or Wales, you'll only be able to get a Winter Fuel Payment from now on if you're over state pension age and receiving one of the following benefits: Income Support Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Pension Credit Universal Credit How much you'll receive in Winter Fuel Payments won't be changing - they will still be worth up to £300, depending on your circumstances. How many people will be affected? The update means around 10 million fewer pensioners will be able to claim Winter Fuel Payments.
At the moment around 11.4 million qualify. But this will be reduced to 1.
5 million who meet the criteria. The move will save the Treasury around £1.4billion this financial year.
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