Prime Minister Keir Starmer has shifted blame to the Conservative Party after facing criticism for Labour’s decision to cut winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners.
During an interview on Good Morning Britain, Starmer was grilled by presenter Susanna Reid, who gave him four opportunities to apologise for the controversial policy change, but the PM repeatedly refused.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced after Labour’s election victory that only pensioners on pension credit would continue to receive the payments, worth up to £300. The decision has caused significant backlash, especially as winter approaches and many pensioners rely on the payment to cover heating costs.
When pressed by Reid to apologise for the cuts, Starmer instead pointed fingers at the previous Conservative government, blaming them for the state of the public finances. “The people who should be saying sorry are the last government who left a hole of £22 billion, and they should apologise for that,” he said.
Starmer defended Labour’s decision, insisting that tough financial choices were necessary to repair the damage left by the Tories. “I’ve come in to fix the mess, fix the problems, and that’s tough, really tough decisions,” he said. The PM warned that failing to address the £22 billion deficit could risk further economic instability, which could affect future benefits, including the state pension.
“If we don’t stabilise the economy, we can’t keep to the [state pension] triple lock,” Starmer added, referring to the system that guarantees annual pension increases in line with inflation, wages, or 2.5%, whichever is highest. He highlighted the importance of the triple lock, pointing out that pensioners received a £900 increase this year, with £460 expected next year.
The issue is expected to be a flashpoint at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where delegates are set to debate calls to reverse the cuts to winter fuel payments. Labour leadership faces the prospect of an embarrassing defeat on the issue as tensions rise over how to balance financial responsibility with support for vulnerable groups.
As the debate over the cuts continues, Starmer’s refusal to apologise is likely to fuel further criticism from both opposition parties and within his own ranks. However, the PM remains firm that the tough financial decisions are necessary to ensure long-term economic stability.
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