Chancellor Keir Starmer faces a major rebellion over “shameful” cuts to winter heating subsidies, with Labour MPs fearing it will cost pensioners their lives this winter.
Sir Keir Starmer faces his first major rebellion this week as he is warned that cuts to winter heating subsidies could be his “poll tax moment”.
Angry MPs have branded the decision “brutal” and “shameful” and fear the Government will be blamed if pensioners die in the cold.
The Prime Minister is trying to contain the explosive row as backbenchers and union leaders step up pressure for a U-turn.
Twelve Labour rebels have signed a motion in the House of Commons calling for a rethink. They are backed by six colleagues who were suspended for voting against the child benefit cap.
Last night government factions were accused of making “frightening” threats to marshal the troops ahead of Tuesday’s crucial vote, the same day trade union paymasters will back the rebels in a vote at the TUC conference in Brighton.
Sir Keir has come under fire after ruling that up to 10 million older people will lose their winter allowance – worth up to £300 – to plug a “black hole” in the finances.
The decision came just before a pay rise for train drivers was announced to guard against inflation. Ministers are confident of winning Tuesday’s vote but are concerned about the long-term impact of simmering discontent on their trailing allies.
Some fear the fight over winter fuel will be as tough on him as the poll tax, the disastrous policy that toppled Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
But one insider said: “Keir has only been in the job for 65 days.”
Party insiders say new MPs are “appalled” by the “ruthless” pressure from group leaders.
Few, if any, Labour MPs will vote against the cuts, but party leaders fear many will abstain or only support the government under duress. Insiders worry the leadership is bottling up resentment that will lead to future fights.
Union activists also want a U-turn, with Unite, Usdaw and PCS opposing the cuts.
Former Home Secretary James Cleverley, who is running for the Conservative leadership, said last night that “Starmer is personally facing a poll tax period because he knows what he is doing”.
The former Labour whip warned that “we are actually going to see people die”. “Every MP has been inundated with emails – and not just from affected constituents but from people who genuinely care about their families and the most vulnerable in their electorate.
“People with ongoing health problems or learning disabilities, the most vulnerable among the elderly, are the people we need to look after.”
Ms Duffield referred to findings that 4,950 people died from the cold last winter and said: “This feels particularly cruel.
He added: “I know that pensioners living on just £13,000 a year will lose out and I find it particularly shameful that the lowest paid MPs, backbenchers like me, are paid £91,000 a year and yet here we are making decisions that affect people for £13,000.”
“The government has made it very clear to MPs how they will treat us if we vote against them. Conservative presidential candidate Mel Stride will lead the Opposition as cuts are made in the House of Commons this week and appeal to Labour MPs to follow their conscience.
He said: “We are very grateful to all our MPs for their support. “If you know in your heart that this is deeply unfair and a punishment for many people who are vulnerable and unable to change their circumstances, we are now giving you the opportunity to vote against it.” Esther McVey,
The pensions secretary, said the move could damage Sir Keir’s reputation in the same way as the disastrous “mini-budget” that forced former prime minister Liz Truss out of No. 10 Downing Street and the economic turmoil that engulfed the UK forced John Major to leave. EMS currency zone.
Ten million pensioners will no longer be able to receive the winter grant of up to £300 under means-tested plans announced by chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves. Only those who remain eligible will be eligible for the benefit, such as individuals earning less than £11,344 or pensioner couples with a combined income of less than £17,313.
Backbenchers have begged Mr Reeves to announce support for low-income pensioners ahead of Tuesday’s vote, but Downing Street insiders have suggested there will be no concessions.
10 Downing Street pointed out that the government is already helping those in need, after announcing last week that it would provide almost half a billion pounds to help those struggling with bills.
There has been anger over the decision to hold a vote in the first place, as it is not needed to introduce means testing. In fact, the government has already put in place the necessary regulations, which are due to come into force on 16 September.
But a cross-party committee of the House of Lords criticised ministers for introducing the reforms in a rush, saying “the policy appears to be being introduced at a pace which does not allow for sufficient scrutiny”.
MPs on the House of Lords scrutiny committee said they were “concerned” about cuts to winter heating grants after energy regulator Ofgem announced gas and electricity costs for private households would rise by £149 a year and prices would fall by £10 a year. cents would go up.
“If people catch colds, the pressure on the health service will be astronomical in winter,” said Rachel Maskell, a former shadow minister who worked in the UK’s NHS for 20 years. “It will be much harder to see a GP or go to an emergency room.” Elected on a pro-Gaza platform.
A government spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. That’s why our commitment to protect the triple lock could increase the state pension of more than 12 million pensioners by almost £1,000 over the next five years.
“But given the dire state of finances we inherited, it is right that we focus support on those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions we need to repair our economic foundations. More than one million pensioners will continue to receive their Winter Fuel Payment and eligible pensioners will also be able to benefit from the £150 Warm Homes Discount scheme from October to help pay their winter energy bills.
“We urge pensioners to come forward and check their pension entitlements to ensure as many people in need as possible can access this support.” In the UK it is thought to be caused by people living in cold homes over the winter and Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, said in a report last year that “cold homes and fuel poverty are directly linked to the rise in deaths this winter”.
