It seems the only group to suffer the brunt of Starmer’s “tough choices”, will be the millions of pensioners having to make the choice between heating and eating this winter. With the news that a retirement tax on pensioners’ tax-free allowance may be on the table, it is clear that pensioners are firmly in Starmer’s crosshairs.
Last winter pensioners received not only a winter fuel payment, but a cost-of-living payment on top. Factoring in higher bills this winter, pensioners will have to stump up an extra £800 under Labour.
How we treat people who have worked hard all their lives says a lot about who we are as a society. Under the Conservatives, we made sure that pensioners could live in dignity and security in retirement. It goes to our core as Conservatives. The very first chance they get, Labour has thrown these pensioners to the wolves.
Sir Keir falsely and repeatedly claims that his Government is one of service. But he cannot mean to the general public, who will have to endure endless waves of strikes, merciless tax rises and cold winters as a result of his political priorities. What he really means is he will always be shamelessly in service to the unions.
Starmer is partially right when he says that “things will get worse before they get better”. For 10 million pensioners this winter, things may never get better.
Labour must rethink this awful decision now, or pensioners will never forget being abandoned this winter.
Mel Stride is shadow secretary of state for work and pensions.
