'I'm afraid people will die': former Labour MP on why he's against the winter fuel tax cut | LBC

[@rainbow-shine6946]

At last an MP who has morals and a conscience - Thank you Richard for speaking up!

[@rogerhudson9732]

My late father was the chair of a constituency Labour party and always a T&GW trade unionist. The idea that a 'Labour' government want to cut winter fuel payments should be abhorrent to all people on the left of politics. Starmer is not worthy of real Labour support.

[@dufud]

This Labour Party are worse than the tories and that’s saying something. Imagine attacking the pensioners as your first act . They really are out of touch.

[@mysterymaverick1982]

Well they started with voting in favour of starving kids first, offing pensioners is the second who knows what's to come next. It's absolutely astounding that a Labor PM is more to the right of Rishi Sunak. 🤬 Having said that I knew they would be worse which is why I didn't vote for BlairStarmer and New Tory Labour Party.

[@ANDY1985UK2011]

@@mysterymaverick1982 he's gonna be a 1 term prime minister , my whole family voted labour at the election and if this policy gets voted in they won't get our votes again

[@mysterymaverick1982]

@@ANDY1985UK2011 Too late they fooled you into thinking the Tories would get in if you didn't. I'm not sure he will last a whole term the way he is going. Having said that how many will die in that time due to their policies.They already voted it in yesterday, clapping and cheering not an ounce of remorse.

[@aion5837]

They're doing what they have been told to do. You don't think that political party's actually exist, do you?

[@clivebroadhead4381]

Starmer needs to do a U-turn on this. It's a disaster for Labour's credibility as the Party looking after the old folk.

[@ipadipad473]

Hypocrisy from the press. Most pensioners have been doing this “heating or eating” sacrifice for the best part of the last 14 years and suddenly the press seems to care something about the plight of the pensioners. Where was the press in the last 14 years I ask?

[@hilaryporter7841]

It's obvious to anyone what needs doing. Anyone with incomes over £35,000 should automatically not get winter fuel allowance. The cut off point is far too low!

[@jeanmitchell5834]

Absolutely agree with that...sounds about right

[@vincentblack7467]

Starmer as no empathy what so ever...,!!! See it in is face when talking about subject....

[@jaynekittycat9252]

Your right. No sincerity.

[@notyourordinarygran]

Narcissists don't have empathy.

[@solentforest]

If they stopped watching Netflix, buying expensive meat and going on cruises, maybe they'd be able to afford to heat their 4 bedroom houses?

[@JohnWalker-rt6ue]

Any Labour MP that votes to stop pensioners winter fuel allowance, should resign.

[@Puddlesmolly]

Arrested

[@sammiebrown9442]

Named & shamed

[@DavidMeikle-ei7fr]

Starmer is a classic sociopath, he has no empathy or sympathy towards anyone especially the elderly and the working class. It's clear he's in politics for the power and privilege, not to serve

[@solentforest]

If they stopped watching Netflix, buying expensive meat and going on cruises, maybe they'd be able to afford to heat their 4 bedroom houses?

[@haxstir]

The money is there and can be found instantly . . . by taxing rich people and corporations who avoid tax altogether.

[@boris1066]

Can we see who votes "for removing the winter fuel allowance" please 🙏

[@davidkeogh1570]

Those who vote to remove and also the cowards who abstain.

[@minui8758]

We will be able to yes. It’ll be a pain and you’ll have to go through all 650 but it can be done on the commons website

[@Billsbill4Lloyd]

Just googled how your MP voted on the winter fuel vote you only need your postcode.I have done it with mine for Chester and fuming she voted for the cut

[@berylgrinham7011]

if only we could impeach a prime minister

[@clivebroadhead4381]

The Government needs to prioritise protecting pensioners over sending weapons to Ukraine and Israel. Just transfer the money to the pension and tax the more affluent - its a no-brainer.

[@seanjones8672]

The statement certainly is a no-brained sentence.

[@notyourordinarygran]

This government are punishing pensioners because they are generally Tory voters. This is spite, pure and simple. The generation who reach retirement this year were the ones who benefitted from Margaret Thatcher's reforms, and were the first generation of working class people who got onto the housing ladder in numbers through council house sales, and he has an unnatural hatred for her and that policy which boosted social mobility. Recent pensioners get the New State Pension of £220 per week....that is £2 per week too much to claim Pension Credit. YES, that's right...£2. The support for Ukraine is vital. It is much better to send them money and weapons and not have to send our grandchildren. Tax the rich, end government waste, reform the NHS (just throwing money at it hasn't solved anything). LEAVE the people who have worked for 35+ years (the minimum for State Pension, many work far longer) alone and let them enjoy their retirement, they earned it.

[@m0o0n0i0r]

@blondpanda6211 shocking we have money to pay 40 bilion to the BOE while we didnt build nuclear power plants here in the UK with hinkley point c estimated to cost £35bn. But hey NIMBYs didnt want it, thats why the UK has so much low skilled workers.

[@davidtewhakaara6660]

Don't give in to Gestapo Starmer

[@andrewmason7207]

this dude is a true labour man

[@paulbuckingham15]

Which means they won't listen to him.

[@andrewmason7207]

@@paulbuckingham15 media will find something untoward he done when he was a kid. way politics works now

[@jake751]

Excellent mp ❤

[@199019852007]

To think they not even going to save £2 billion over this idea . Plenty of other areas to save money from

[@mjl2904]

The money is an instant saving, compared to attempting to ‘tax the rich’

[@199019852007]

@@mjl2904 they got to keep their donors happy like Lord Sainsbury’s

[@Durka-Durka01]

🛶🛶🛶👀

[@DarrenBrians]

If you've £160'000 to waste on a tesla. You get £30'000. If you paddled in on a dinghy. You get a 4-star hotel. If your old and paid taxes all your life. Freeze! Adults in charge?

[@MelroseRaymond]

Dreadful decision by a hapless ,naive government.

[@mikefarrell526]

Resign in protest against the governments decision. Do MP's keep there winter fuel allowance?

[@sysasst670]

Yes

[@maryminty5876]

Yes

[@danielcollinson4456]

I think Burgon has already lost the Labour whip and he won't get it back.

[@steveedwards5698]

Could this see a mass defection to Reform?

[@andrewpearson3516]

Ofc they do. Politicians need they entire expensive account stop. Now that the torries are out, we need to push Labour ro the Left get . Stammer is too much of a centrist . I hope this stunt will remove him from Labour leadership. Undo the tax cuts to the rich and bring back marginal tax codes for corporation with revenue over £10 million a year, legalise Cannabis removing it from criminals. Having more tax revenue coming in, which was established at £1billion per year, licensing the same way alcohol, especially Since in is less harmful thay both alcohol and smoking. Completely decriminalisimg drugs, send addicts to rehab because prison as it is more cost effective instead of having them in and out of prison. We need to see what works in other countries and implement it here . The root of our issues is that bribery is still legal in the form of campaign donations.

[@Cherrytune386]

Very disappointed in Starmer. Why pick on the pensioners?! TAX THE RICH

[@johnrowlands1142]

I am a disabled military veteran of 71 years of age, I suffer from both physical and psychological injuries following my military service. I need to use extra heating and electricity for my conditions, plus for my several different medical equipments that I have to use both day and night. So this payment was a necessity for me and my wife. And my wife has still keep working in the NHS even though she is over pension age. So what are we supposed to do, to stop getting into debt with our energy providers.

[@kb4903]

£200 will change your life?

[@jamjam2833]

@@kb4903the Labour Party will ruin his life that’s for sure.

[@notyourordinarygran]

​@@kb4903 £300. Yes, even this can help save a life.

[@johnrowlands1142]

@@kb4903 no it wouldn’t, but it helps.

[@kb4903]

@@johnrowlands1142 give it to everyone then.

[@paulbird3235]

Labour in name only, was this really the Labour government we were praying for, what an utter let-down. Stinks of hpocracy and contempt.

[@Silver-st2zq]

Totally agree and they are never getting my vote again.

[@Skygrey2943]

To be fair, we had a proper alternative to this in Corbyn, but people didn't like him because the red tops as well as LBC destroyed him. He was getting too close to taxing the rich.

[@williamthompson4389]

Why is everybody 'out of step' with Kier Starmer? I am 81 years of age and live alone. I have always had sensible control of my financial affairs but now even having made so many very drastic sacrifices I have reached a point where I can no longer enjoy the retirement I had expected and looked forward to.

[@sarries1]

This is a genuine question and I mean no offence, however how did you plan to fund your retirement? I cannot understand why anyone would plan to live on the state pension alone. I am a little defensive due to many older folks criticising the young for not saving to buy an unaffordable house yet it seems they may not have been as diligent themselves.

[@notyourordinarygran]

​@@sarries1 most of us didn't get paid enough to save anything and we were promised that, if we did our bit and worked hard and raised new workers for our country, we would be taken care of in our retirement. I have upheld my part of the bargain for 40+ years....I married for love not money, so I certainly don't have any.

[@williamthompson4389]

My circumstances are very different to normal. I was married for 33 years, had a family of 4 sons and paid for everything. Totally unexpectedly my wife fell in love with a much youger, richer man over 20 years ago and brought my marriage to an end. In the divorce settlement she was entitled to half our assets including my private pension. I have always been cautious regarding financial affairs but certainly hadn't prepared for such a situation!

[@m0o0n0i0r]

​@@sarries1 great comment. im 41 now, grew up under the last labour government. Was saving for my first home at the time renting a room in a HMO. Labour in 2008 bailed out the banks and did QE and ZIRP. Conservatives continued this policy. This is why the WFA is so important as the government trashed the spending power of the currency. My savings got trashed. Today I have my own 3 bed house, and have a private pension. Never rely on government or democracy to do the right think for the long term benefit of the country.

[@m0o0n0i0r]

@@fionamunro3381 I know plenty of old people who have private pensions, and may have inherited pensions tax free

[@davidkidd368]

Most people I speak with say Reeves is very cruel and greedy women.The Labour MPs should select decent people to run their party.

[@wiseget]

There are still some people, Labour, who actually think the only people affected by this are rich pensioners living in stately homes and mansions!

[@OrlandoDibiskitt]

The disgusting Conservative government we suffered under for so long took way more from way more people than any other government in history. That being said, I'm also well aware this won't only affect rich pensioners... I am also against taking the fuel payments and I'm usually pro-Labour. At the very least, the means testing thresholds should be way higher.

[@TW19567]

It’s amazing how many of these pensioners that are going to freeze this winter that I’ve seen out and about going on holiday and going to festivals and going to expensive coffee shops now the kids are back at school. If they are going to struggle to pay their heating bills, how can they afford a £4 cup of coffee?

[@Elvis_Hogan]

​@@TW19567Errm... So you're keeping track on ALL pensioners in Britain? That's some dedication right there!

[@michaelhoskins6579]

The poorest pensioners will still get it and those just above the Pension Credit threshold can get other benefits such as Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit (if they pay rent) to help with the cost of living.

[@michaelhoskins6579]

@@TW19567 Yep, a pensioner I know was moaning about it the other day whilst he was out polishing his classic car!

[@shaunnewman8375]

Sort out the uptake of pension credits first, then take a look at the fuel allowance, make sure these vulnerable people are safe before smacking them in the teeth.

[@orchestralmockups]

Liebour really don't want pensioners to claim pension credit. The estimated value of unclaimed pension credit is £1.7 billion which outweighs the £1.4 billion they have saved by removing the fuel allowance.

[@notyourordinarygran]

New State Pension = £220 per week. Cut off for Pension Credit = £218.

[@davidscott4637]

The headlines if some of the pensions did because of this policy will finish Starmer.

[@Silver-st2zq]

Only once have i never voted Labour but will never be voting for them again now.

[@notyourordinarygran]

I grew up in a northern mining town...no one voted anything but Labour where I came from. I voted for Blair, sorry, I was taken in by their optimism....never again. The working man has no representation in this country any more, unless he is of a chose victim minority.

[@davidkeogh1570]

45 million pounds extra for king charlie and pensioners loosing winter fuel allowance,seems fair.

[@markdyer2574]

I hope the public will remember this betrayal from Keir Starmer by the time the next election comes around. Who am i kidding ?!

[@miketaverner4451]

I'm 67 , I get £180 a week l will be alright without without the winter fuel payment . I certainly do not want it if it is begrudged . I do believe that this is going to severely affect the health well being and lives of many people. There are a lot of people with health problems and fragile . They will suffer , and fill up hospital beds . In the long run this policy will cost more in health care than it would to keep the allowance. I think undertakers are not going to have much free time over Christmas as horrible as that may sound .

[@vincentblack7467]

Starmer needs to go !!!!

[@faizanhussain6205]

100 percent keir won’t last till end of this year

[@taykitrleevitt4314]

Why's no-one going for the throats of the energy companies who are blatantly profiteering?... These companies were privatised by the Tories on the fallacy of offering customers a better deal... The government is powerless to bring prices down, so are forced to subsidise the criminal acts of the power companies.

[@thebrowniestjohnson3244]

let's have a bet he will

[@tscrox5991]

@@thebrowniestjohnson3244Unfortunately he probably will last until well into next year.

[@lrtvhighlights3687]

​@@thebrowniestjohnson3244he will be gone just like Liz truss

[@thebrowniestjohnson3244]

@@lrtvhighlights3687 lets have a bet

[@MrSatnavatron]

The treatment of our best MP's is disgraceful

[@minui8758]

This is tragic. I really believe Richard was someone who supported our interests. Shame on the labour party

[@tonymills4971]

Starmer does not care about our pensioners they are of no use to him or his party.

[@TroyaE117]

Just wait until the 25% council tax single occupancy discount is ended.

[@davie7967]

Take away the politicians £3500 allowances expenses and second homes

[@drstrangelove4998]

It’s all very well for Andrew on a huge salary and pension…😡

[@stuartgrace5451]

LONDON 26TH peaceful protest. Take our country back. Get tyrant starmer and his horrid regime out

[@Sooty-b6x]

I’m going to be there mate

[@Sunrise9696-v2z]

Regardless of the winter fuel cuts Starmer should be removed from the Parliament immediately

[@rosemarycuthbert4623]

The government of service. Self service 😢

[@denisewalker7266]

Disgusting that this has been allowed to happen when we are housing illegal immigrants in warm hotels getting three square meals a day and whatever else they get. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@ClemMackay]

It’s a sad day in our Country when our PM dosent care about the Pensioners in GB ,,but would rather see the boat people put into hotels where they will be warm and food no worries about paying ANYTHING,,,it’s all Wrong,,I’m 74 and have from the day I started voting I always voted Labour,,,but if I’m able to be still here when the next election I will NEVER EVER vote Labour again,,,

[@imabot4553]

first thing they should have cut canteen subsidies, and attendance allowance, they don't need this money

[@mechtechmechanical1571]

They should raise the bar a bit higher so the poorer people will be ok why the poorest people in society should suffer and they will suffer, they will feel the pain, like somebody said why are people abroad getting winter payments when they live in warm countries.

[@mjl2904]

I also agree with this. However I do remember the Tories taking away so much from the poorest working people and yet there ha so not been the same outrage.

[@alexanderson8701]

"why are people abroad getting winter payments when they live in warm countries." ... Don't believe *everything* that you read/hear from "Somewhere", ... because they *don't*.

[@staceyleeellis9160]

Let’s just hope all the labour MPS who will be receiving hundreds if not thousands of emails stand by their conviction and by their constituents and vote against this bill. The government have found billions for Ukraine,billions for the unions and billions for the train drivers,finding 1.4 billion to keep people warm isn’t a big ask. Labour are soiling their own bogus manifesto as it stands

[@EpicAelflaed]

15 million per day if taxpayers money goes to illegals accommodation etc billions every year on the criminals

[@KevinP-y7k]

To save the pensioners energy bills.. put them in hotel's for the winter 🇪🇺🇪🇺

[@gherkamum]

Will Starmer Let The Old Freeze To Death This Winter...Eat or Heat under Starmer....

[@kevinberrett]

Barry Gardner saying pensioners are better off by having £900 last year and £400 next year in their pension,he didn't mention that inflation was nearly 20%

[@alexanderson8701]

The Office of National Statistics calculated that inflation for the 12 months of 2023 was 4%. ... Where do you get the figure of *20%* from ?

[@kevinberrett]

If inflation was 4% as you suggest how did state pension rise by £900,overall inflation was 11% with food and energy even higher ,that's why the last government give everyone £67 a month of their energy bill because of the cost of living crisis whether you needed it or not

[@silondon9010]

Cut Foreign Aid Labour

[@neilkendrick4976]

so stop paying mps allowances and get money from the rich in london, who avoid tax and did so under conservative rule. leave the unions out of this, without them the rich get even richer and the working class get kicked in the teeth. make tax fair for all, especially those who try to avoid it. pensioners need that money, so does the nhs.

[@Lagosawee]

Don’t pay taxes and contribute to a system doesn’t serve you

[@mjl2904]

How are you going to do that genius when you are likely on PAYE

[@SaqibSheikh]

Labour just the same as Tories

[@jax6271]

I’m sure it said change somewhere during the GE🤨

[@1aatlas]

@@jax6271 You got played.

[@andrewmurray4308]

Richard Burgon an mp with some morales.

[@1aatlas]

Only 1 in 5 eligible voters chose Labour at the last election, I imagine at the next election that number will be much smaller.

[@dolly22215]

Seems to me that Kier wants the bodies to stack high!

[@BrianK-lu2ul]

This year winter fuel next year the trple lock. Starmer the bully

[@orchestralmockups]

This decision by Labour just goes to show that if you are not on benefits you are seen as rich and fair game. Labour are not the party of the "working class" they are the party of the benefit claimant and that's where they want you to stay....unless you are in a union.

[@notyourordinarygran]

Yeah, if they get everyone on benefits they can control their lives. It also gives them a reason to 'import' workers from abroad, changing our demographics and culture.

[@mathewgrover6455]

It's like someone going into your home while it's minus zero outside and taking your only heater.

[@drstrangelove4998]

A small proportion of the massive ‘green’ aid grant would have paid for pensioners winter fuel grant…

[@BanterRanterr]

Phasing out coal and replacing it with natural gas seems to cost us dearly...

[@JacquelineNewcombe]

Liebour is toast, the sooner the better! Harold Wilson😂😂😂😂 he was a disaster, I remember his premiership well. Liebour were responsible nsible for the 1979 Winter of Discontent and I foresee another cimplete fiasco. Socialism/communism only destroys!

[@Nicholas-ok9no]

People WILL die.

[@1Mutton1]

Guess you shouldnt have closed all those power stations without a power plan.

[@iangittens8636]

I'm 70 when I was a one open coal fire, the winters were colder and I can't remember lots of people freezing to death.

[@jackiepeters7424]

Sadly we don't have the coal or the fires

[@ChrisBennett-y2j]

Iv waited years for Labour government and now got a Tory one who’s next sick and disabled Labour leader is disgraceful never will I ever give Labour my vote any more.

[@clivebroadhead4381]

If the Government is short of money they should abandon the Tory's promised increase in military expenditure, i.e., from 2% to 2.5 % of GDP

[@CD-pm9kc]

Thousands will die this winter because of Labour.

[@dwdei8815]

"Former" Labour MP meaning one who feels able to speak out in conscience against The Leader.

[@Debrootoo]

Think of the poorest of our community!!

[@julian.morgan]

Richard Burgon is Labour blood and bone. This was supposed to be a government that was 'party second' - meaning that service to one's country and constituents comes first, which is all Richard Burgon did, voting with his conscience and for his constiuents many of whom are hit hard by the two child cap. He's my MP, lives locally and (like me) sees children in dire poverty everyday . . . what else could anyone reasonably expect him to do?

[@rogerhudson9732]

When the media says only one Labour MP voted against the government they don't mention people like Burgon.

[@ianlewis2813]

IMMIGRANTS IN 5 ⭐️HOTELS with FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST. WHILE PENSIONERS DIE THIS CHRISTMAS ⛄️🎄⚰️⛄️ BECAUSE LABOUR CUT THE HEATING ALLOWANCE.

[@matt_drumming12h4]

If pensioners die starmer won’t care he doesn’t know them he’s never met them their just a number and he won’t lose any sleep over it , sad but true your delusional if you think they really care

[@peterdavidson3890]

It’s forgotten that when Labour were thrown out of office 14 years ago a Labour treasury official left a well publicised note that said “THERE’S NO MONEY LEFT”.

[@jeanmitchell5834]

Yep there was a big scandal last time Labour were in power.....The expenses scandal....people have short memories

[@50brian50]

People living abroad will still get the winter fuel allowance unbeatable 😮

[@steigerbower]

Lol LBC the mouthpiece and test ground for new laws , they say ,you pay !

[@ecknareal]

I'd really like to know the details rather then the optics on this law. Cos if this is only removing the free money going to pensions with asserts worth over 1Million Pounds or something like that i don't really see the issue, these people would be rich by most of the populations standards why would they deserve tax payer money for being rich? If it's genuinely affecting those who need it though thats another story.

[@reneebarclay8816]

What about all the tax free interest earned by rich people on ISAs? That would be a better way of raising tax than taking away pensioner winter fuel payments.

[@plague877]

Don’t forgot guys this money really needs to go to the masses of young men coming in by boat so they can go into town with some cash and a brand new phone to harass our women 👍

[@jimbobjimjim6500]

But Ukraine?

[@andrewwalker3312]

One wonders if the king and queen and Co will still be able to eat cake after this decision Come on let's get real. We're all In it together Cameron said.

[@timibuli1501]

Preparation for lockdown??👏👏🎉🤣

[@davidkidd368]

I think Starmer is a cruel greedy man.These MPS are cruel in this Labour Government bunch and not fit to govern this great country.Starmer is unfit for Prime Minister.

[@dub604]

2016: We hold all the cards, they need us more than we need them. 2024: The country's broke, sorry. Welcome to Brexit.

[@JohnDickson-k5t]

Exactly my pal needs it for his session ticket for the Glasgow rangers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@bettyholmes1155]

Rotherham mps vote to cut winter fuel payment to pensioners disgrace themselves Rotherham a poor town as it is

[@tommynocash2419]

Richard burgon needs to join corbyn as a real independent on the side of the working class, tye labour party no longer exists it's dead.

[@Gohka]

Jesus christ I am so tired of people still going on and on and on and on about this. As if there aren't FAR more important things happening around the world for you news media to talk about. Instead you've latched on to this for the past however many weeks it's been.

[@Gina-vu4mu]

They shouldn't means tested people can't get pensioners can't get Tax Credit and they already know thatn

[@jimwest7107]

I think Burgon is an idiot but fair play to him on this. Genuine passion.

[@kev8816]

Why didn't they just use the living wage as the threshold?

[@alphahotel9156]

Put on some flipping clothers in winter. Ppl wanna sit in underwear and flip flops in winter then cry its cold

[@jsd8981]

If this goes through, rest assured labour will be finished,,,

[@ChrisManUtd1975]

What's wrong with benefits being means tested ?

[@jonathoncalabrese2035]

Isn’t that the whole plan?

[@PLuMUK54]

I am fortunate. I do not need the Winter Fuel Allowance. I used to take it because, in my opinion, only a fool doesn't accept what is offered. I am, however, very angry about the loss of this money. Not because I need it, but because several of my neighbours will fall through the cracks - too much income to receive benefits, but not enough income to maintain their standard of living. To them, the Winter Fuel Allowance was a lifeline that kept them out of poverty. Mr Prime Minister, I'd not mind you taking the allowance off people like me, but only if I knew that the funds were reallocated to help those in the middle who face the likelihood of sliding into poverty. In my opinion, Mr Prime Minister, you are a 💩

[@BumberClarke]

Was it not that pensioners on state pensions ONLY would still get this payment unconditionally? Some pensioners have a few pensions and big savings they did well so can we stop talking 💩

[@sheenamcleod3386]

If you are so worried, did you vote against it?

[@mikevere6334]

The tax payer pays all pensioners a minimum over £200/week. What about the disabled and the working poor. Pensioners will not suffer from this and are better off than ever. Poor working class children are suffering, but there is nothing for them because the Tories have bankrupted our public services.

[@artistreality]

Whataboutism and your playing the division tactics of the establishment. All can be looked after if we scrapped net zero, funding foreign conflicts, had strict immigration laws that only allow 10, 000 net migration each year. Vital roles only. Overnight that's billions of pounds freed up to help everyone who needs it. Stop being fooled by politricks. Drill/frack for gas, build mini nuclear reactors en masse from profits and bingo cheap energy. It's not rocket science, these politicians are just not fit to be in parliament. As for 'tax payers' some of us pay the most and don't moan 24/7 about pensioners being looked after. £200 a week is a disgrace and. Shameful. Should be more for state pension only pensioners or pensioners with small private pensions not worth much. Simple as.