SIR Keir Starmer has been dealt a nasty blow as Labor voted to overturn his controversial cut in winter fuel payments.
Although the vote is not binding, it increases the pressure on the prime minister, who is facing a storm of criticism from the public and left-wing factions within his own party.
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Sir Keir Starmer delivers his opening speech at the conference Credit: Alamy
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham (centre) votes during a motion to cut winter fuel payments Credit: Getty
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Ms Graham and other union members are protesting cuts to Labor’s winter fuel payments Credit: Reuters
The motion put forward by Unite and the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) at the Labor Party conference calls for the means test of the winter fuel allowance to be abolished.
It also called on the government to abandon its fiscal rules, which prevent borrowing for investment, and to introduce a wealth tax.
Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Save The Winter Fuel”, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the Prime Minister had made a “misstep” in cutting the allowance and should change it.
But a defiant Sir Keir refused to apologize four times for denying pensioners winter fuel payments earlier this morning.
The Prime Minister has been repeatedly challenged to apologize to vulnerable OAPs who are set to lose up to £300.
But the Labor leader instead blamed the Tories for “putting him in this position”.
This saga will go on and on
Analysis by Ryan Sabey, deputy political editor
Unions have accused Labor chiefs of trying to bury the vote to cut the winter fuel charge.
Maybe it just backfired on them because party delegates demanded reconsideration of the controversial measure.
It was relegated to the graveyard in the conference diary, but the vote highlights a major divide in the Labor movement.
They apparently did not heed the warnings of Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves in their conference speeches this week.
They haven’t stopped talking about fixing the foundations of the economy after revealing a £22bn black hole in this year’s finances.
They asked the party to suffer short-term pain for some long-term gain.
But unions want Sir Keir to drop the policy immediately despite many wealthy pensioners claiming up to £300 a year.
This saga will continue and continue with the winter months ahead.
With the budget on the horizon, there will be no government walkouts.
Unions are ready to take the pieces from the government again and again as we head into those colder months.
Asked how he could justify cutting GMB star Susanna Reid, Sir Keir said: “Well, it’s difficult and I think the first thing to say is to explain why we had to do it.
“We’ve inherited a really damaged economy, we’ve done an audit and discovered an undisclosed £22bn black hole this year, which we need to fix.’
Pressed on whether he wanted to apologize to the pensioners, Sir Keir said: “Well, I’m really concerned that we’ve been put in this position.
“When you inherit an economy that’s £22 billion short, it’s a really tough set of choices.
“But what I don’t want to do is let the economy get out of control. What I want to make sure is that every single retiree, there’s an increase through the triple lock every year. . . .”
Asked again if he wanted to apologise, the Prime Minister replied: “The people who should be apologizing are the last government to leave a £22 billion hole and they should be sorry for that and they should apologize for that.”
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Sir Keir Starmer interviewed by Susanna Reid on GMBCredit: ITV
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The Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to apologize for his decision to cut fuel payments from millions of pensioners for the winter Credit: ITV
What is the winter fuel payment?
Consumer journalist Sam Walker explains everything you need to know about payments.
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual benefit designed to help cover heating costs during the colder months.
Most of those who qualify receive the payment automatically.
Those who qualify are usually notified by letter sent in October or November each year.
If you meet the criteria but don’t automatically get the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll need to apply on the government’s website.
You will qualify for a winter fuel payment this winter if:
- you were born on or before September 23, 1958
- you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 16 to 22 September 2024, known as the “qualifying week”
- you get Pension Credit, Universal Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit
If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you may still be paid if both of the following conditions apply:
- you live in Switzerland or an EEA country
- you have a “real and sufficient” connection to the UK social security system, for example you have lived or worked in the UK and have family in the UK
But there are exceptions – you can’t get paid if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain.
This is because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
You will also not qualify if:
- have been in the hospital for free treatment for more than a year
- you need permission to enter the UK and the leave granted states that you cannot claim public funds
- were in jail for the whole “qualification week”
- lived in a care home all the time between 26 June and 24 September 2023 and received Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
Payments are usually made between November and December, with some being paid by the end of January of the following year.
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