Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces criticism over his plan to cut winter fuel allowances for pensioners, sparking heated debates in parliament

Shortly before noon, Sir Keir Starmer and his closest allies peeked out from behind the Speaker’s chair, checking if it was safe to enter the chamber. Led by Starmer, the group of Labour MPs moved forward cautiously, like teenagers sneaking into class late. Their arrival was met with a few polite greetings, but most Labour MPs remained silent, too afraid to cheer for the man proposing to cut winter fuel allowances for pensioners.

Rishi Sunak immediately targeted Starmer’s weak spot, demanding an impact assessment of the controversial plan. Starmer responded, “The fact of the matter is, they left a £22 billion black hole.” Sunak pressed on, asking why the impact assessment wasn’t published. Starmer dodged, reminiscing about the days when balancing the books was a priority.

Sunak cited Labour’s own analysis, which estimated that the cuts could lead to 3,850 deaths. He asked if this figure was higher or lower than other estimates Starmer had seen. Starmer offered no clear answer, instead talking about making tough decisions to stabilize the economy. At one point, Starmer seemed to forget he was the prime minister, using a line from his opposition days: “He goes around pretending that everything’s fine.” Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself.

The session revealed a troubling truth: Starmer wants to cut benefits for pensioners but doesn’t know how many will be affected. Tessa Munt, a Labour MP, pointed out that the previous government had underspent the farming budget by £100 million, suggesting that the so-called black hole might be a fabrication. Starmer admitted that the state pension would increase more than the loss in winter fuel allowance, implying that the cuts were revenue-neutral.

Mark Ferguson, a new Labour member, raised the case of a sick constituent needing an experimental treatment. He asked Starmer to meet the patient and discuss the life-saving care she needed. Instead of a straightforward “yes,” Starmer talked about ensuring the paperwork was completed as soon as possible, reinforcing his image as a bureaucrat.

Angela Rayner, Starmer’s deputy, made an eye-catching appearance in a bright pink trouser suit. Despite her vibrant outfit, she simmered with silent rage throughout the session. Many believe she could easily outshine Starmer with her warmth, energy, and wit.

THE GUARDIAN

In the latest episode of Politics Weekly UK, John Harris discusses the government’s decision to cut the winter fuel allowance with Caroline Abrahams from Age UK and columnist Rafael Behr. The government successfully avoided a backbench rebellion, pushing through the controversial cut. This decision will significantly impact pensioners, many of whom rely on the allowance to afford heating during the cold months. Abrahams highlights the potential challenges millions of pensioners will face, especially as energy costs continue to rise.

The podcast also delves into the political implications of the move for the Labour Party. Harris and Behr discuss whether Labour’s leadership, particularly Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, is steering the party in the wrong direction by adopting a more technocratic approach. The conversation centres around whether Labour’s strategy is too focused on austerity-like policies, potentially alienating key voters who may be struggling with the cost of living.

An illustration accompanying the podcast by Ben Jennings humorously captures the public sentiment towards the cuts, showing Starmer holding an elderly man upside down as his coins fall out, with Rachel Reeves quickly gathering them. This reflects a growing concern that the Labour Party may not be adequately addressing the needs of vulnerable groups.

The episode highlights the deepening crisis of fuel poverty among the elderly and raises questions about the Labour Party’s approach as it navigates a challenging political landscape.

THE TELEGRAPH

Allister Heath’s critique of Keir Starmer’s Labour government focuses on what he sees as its impending collapse due to incompetence and unpopular policies. Despite securing a large parliamentary majority, Starmer is accused of mismanaging public perception, appearing too left-wing to some and too right-wing to others. Heath compares Starmer to Theresa May, describing him as a lacklustre leader who fails to inspire confidence. His communication strategy is seen as negative and alarmist, which has contributed to declining approval ratings.

Heath particularly criticizes the handling of the winter fuel allowance, overseen by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The means-testing of this benefit, which impacts pensioners, has sparked significant backlash. Reeves is portrayed as unprepared and out of touch, much like the “pasty tax” debacle under the Conservative government in 2012. Heath suggests that Labour’s approach to austerity is performative, designed to appeal to unions rather than address fiscal realities. He advocates for an alternative, such as incorporating the winter fuel payment into the state pension and tying it to wage growth.

Further, Heath condemns Labour’s stance on private school taxes and accuses them of using class warfare tactics under the guise of fiscal responsibility. The government’s failure to address crime and immigration, combined with its confusing economic policies, reflects broader issues within the party. Heath concludes that if the Conservatives choose a capable leader, Labour’s dominance could crumble swiftly, with Starmer’s government already showing signs of unravelling.

THE INDEPENDENT

Labour MPs who rebelled against the party’s decision to cut the winter fuel payment face disciplinary action. This followed a Commons vote where some MPs voted with the Conservatives, and 52 Labour MPs abstained. The decision to cut the universal benefit for pensioners has drawn criticism from both inside and outside the party. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accused Keir Starmer of refusing to publish the impact assessment of this policy during a heated Prime Minister’s Questions.

The government defends the cuts as necessary to address a £22 billion fiscal gap inherited from previous Conservative governments. However, this has led to anger, particularly from pensioners who may now face difficult choices between essential needs like heating and food. Despite the backlash, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the government will not reverse the policy.

This revolt within Labour comes amid broader dissatisfaction with the party’s direction, particularly regarding its handling of economic and welfare policies. As the debate continues, Starmer has faced pressure over other pensioner benefits, such as council tax discounts and bus passes, with no firm guarantees yet provided.

The decision highlights growing tensions within the Labour Party as it navigates tough fiscal decisions, and the response from both MPs and the public suggests this issue could remain politically contentious.