Sir Keir Starmer says pensioners will be 'better off' under Labour despite winter fuel payment cut

Sir Keir Starmer has sparked outrage with his remarks that pensioners will be "better off" under Labour. Despite his government cutting winter fuel payments for 10 million people, the Prime Minister has pledged to prioritise older citizens' welfare, pointing to the forthcoming triple lock on state pensions expected next spring, which could top up some seniors’ income by an additional £400.

However, Silver Voices labelled Sir Keir's assertions as an "insult" and "defied belief". Dennis Reed of Silver Voices retorted: "The triple lock is supposed to compensate for all household increases, not just energy, and we still see food and essentials prices soaring."

He further decried the disparities in state pension provisions, mentioning, "The very large majority of older people are still on the old state pension (for those retiring before April 2016), the maximum rate of which is £169.50 per week."

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This amount "This will rise next April by £7 per week to £176.45."

To illustrate the gulf between politicians and the public, Reed remarked, "Well off politicians wouldn't blink at spending that on a meal out, or a Taylor Swift concert.", reports the Express.

A petition, urging the government to shield pensioners in the upcoming budget, is set to be delivered to No 10 imminently (MON). Defiantly, Mr Reed concluded, "I am delivering a mass petition to 10 Downing Street tomorrow, with the Express, calling for the Budget to protect older people, signed by about 150,000 so far."

He also extended an open invitation for dialogue with Sir Keir: "I will be happy to engage in discussion with Sir Keir on his doorstep, to put him right on the facts, if he is around."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has come under fire for what's been branded an "attack on pensioners" after scrapping the winter fuel payment that could be worth up to £300. Lifelong Labour supporters have expressed their outrage, vowing never to back the party again following this "cruel" decision.

The government is set to abolish the universal winter fuel allowance – £200 for those under 80 and £300 for seniors over 80 – in a bid to save £1.5 billion. Now, only recipients of pension credit and certain other benefits will qualify.

Ms Reeves made this announcement just three weeks into her tenure, aiming to plug a £22 billion hole in the budget. However, detractors have highlighted that half of this sum is allocated for substantial public sector wage increases that were approved without any corresponding reforms in work practices.

Labour Party analysis, when in opposition, suggested that limiting winter fuel payments might lead to 3,850 deaths. Research by Age UK indicates that nearly all impoverished pensioners will lose out on their winter fuel allowance, with the charity cautioning that about eight in ten elderly individuals hovering around the poverty line will be deprived of these funds this year.

They are sounding the alarm over a potential "disaster" as colder weather approaches unless the policy is reversed in the upcoming Budget. Data shows that nearly 23% of those set to lose the benefit are living in or just above poverty, including 800,000 aged over 80.

Some 1.1 million disabled pensioners, together with a comparable number of older individuals living alone who are financially stretched, will feel the pinch. The move has sparked discord within labour ranks, with MPs and peers from the party voicing their concerns about the consequences.

Notably, around 50 Labour MPs abstained from voting on the new measures, marking the largest dissent against the current government to date. Addressing concerns in an Express interview regarding pensioner finances, Sir Keir stated: "I'm very concerned to make sure pensioners are better off and that's why we're stabilising the economy."

He elaborated on this commitment, adding: "What that does is allow us to keep to the triple lock. By keeping the triple lock that means that the pension will go up by over £400 next year."

Sir Keir also highlighted previous increases, mentioning: "That's in addition to the money that it went up this year, which was £900 for the state pension."

He concluded with reassurance for retirees under his purview: "That's the position on pensions but I am very concerned to make sure they're both protected and better off under a Labour government."