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Labour Cuts Winter Fuel Allowance for Pensioners

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The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, faced internal unease within the party after a contentious decision to cut the winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners. The allowance, worth between £200 and £300 a year, will now only be provided to the poorest retirees. Starmer defended the move, stating that tough decisions are necessary due to the dire state of public finances left by the previous Conservative government.

Despite disquiet among some Labour lawmakers, the government easily voted down an attempt to overturn the cut in the House of Commons. “We have to fix the foundations of our economy and that means tough choices,” Starmer told his Cabinet on Monday. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves urged unity among Labour MPs, saying, “We stand, we lead, and we govern together.”

The Conservatives accused Labour of penalizing vulnerable older people.

Conservative leadership candidate Mel Stride said the cut would hit “millions of pensioners … who are on extremely low incomes.” The government argues that pensioners will still be better off due to a significant rise in the state pension next year. Starmer also faced criticism over the early release of more than 1,700 inmates to address overcrowding in Britain’s prisons.

Labour restricts pensioner fuel payments

Starting Tuesday, some prisoners will be freed after serving 40% of their sentences, rather than the usual 50%. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor warned that some of those released might commit new crimes. The prime minister unveiled a comprehensive plan to reform the National Health Service (NHS), emphasizing the need for long-term solutions.

Starmer’s vision includes a 10-year plan focused on improving technology, moving care from hospitals to communities, and prioritizing preventive measures. The government also announced restrictions on junk food advertising, with a 9 PM watershed on TV advertising and a total ban on paid-for online advertising of such products starting from October 2025. This move aims to protect children from exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertisements.

Starmer warned of a “painful” financial period ahead, with potential tax increases on the horizon. He concluded by affirming his commitment to urgent and long-term reforms, stating, “The NHS may be broken, but it’s not beaten. The task before us is the work of our generation.”


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  • TheGuardian.”‘They’ve robbed us’: UK pensioners on losing the winter fuel payment”.
  • APNews.”UK leader faces unease in his Labour Party after a winter fuel allowance is cut for millions”.
  • Sky.”Politics latest: Keir Starmer reveals NHS plan; junk food adverts to be banned before 9pm”.

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