Why is Labour picking on pensioners?

Of all the groups in society anyone expected Labour to pick on when it came into office, pensioners were the least likely excepting perhaps, children in poverty. Now it turns out they are the two groups Labour thinks should pay the price for the mess that Labour claims it has inherited from the Tories. Political incompetence on this scale is hard to make up.
#uk #money #economy #politics #government #tax #labour #starmer
ABOUT RICHARD MURPHY
Richard Murphy is Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School. He is director of Tax Research LLP and the author of the Funding the Future blog. His best known book is ‘The Joy of Tax’.
This video was edited by Thomas Murphy.
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[@julieambrose4558]

They should not be allowed to abstain it’s there job to vote for what is right

[@azillliasmith2734]

Agree.....it's cowardly too......

[@joannhibbitt3246]

I bet they don't abstain from taking their huge wages for doing nothing.

[@richsmart321]

agree. They are there to represent their constituents, not a political party

[@thakery5720]

They are there to do what the voters tell them to !

[@wendoverpatriot23]

Most are in it to promote themselves not serve constituents

[@ornellacaponi]

The rich stay rich by spending like the poor and investing without stopping then the poor stay poor by spending like the rich yet not investing like the rich...

[@AdaneFenatw]

Waking up every 14th of each month to 210,000 dollars it's a blessing to I and my family...Big gratitude to Andrea megan

[@Susanjane-9x]

Wow! Kind of in shock you mentioned expert, Mrs Andrea What a coincidence!!

[@AdaneFenatw]

YES!!! That's exactly her name (Andrea megan) so many people have recommended highly about her and am just starting with herfrom Brisbane Germany

[@BarbaraLinda-s9e]

I have heard a lot of wonderful things about Andrea megan on the news but didn't believe it until now. I'm definitely trying her out

[@JefferyRodriguez-zz9kg]

Life is easier when the cash keeps popping in, thanks to Andrea megan services. Glad she's getting the recognition she deserves

[@Nemo59646]

I'm 65 I have cerebral palsy and my hands and feet are always cold. I worked for Remploy for 28 years. I will not get the Winter Fuel payment as I'm £2 over the limit because of my occupational pension from Remploy.

[@oneoflokis]

That's terrible! (Are you writing to your MP, whether Tory, Labour or Lib Dem? Please do.)

[@Nemo59646]

@@oneoflokis I wrote to Matt Vickers, via Age concern UK,online letter Matt has already replied. I also signed the online petition.

[@loc4725]

I'd be very interested to see how your finances break down. The only ones I've done so far have been for an elderly relative, who's pension takehome is almost as much as I earn and a colleague who's retiring in the next 2 years, who's complained loudly about the benefit withdrawal and who it turns out most definitely will *not* need the money.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

But your pensions will rise by over 4% with inflation nearing only 1.5%.

[@azillliasmith2734]

@@stephfoxwell4620.... and?

[@IanDocherty335]

Because, generally speaking pensioners don't vote Labour.

[@alandavis3991]

They know a lot of pensioners will not be alive to vote 2029 and are keen to increase that number

[@loc4725]

​@@alandavis3991Good on them!

[@lkyuvsad]

Well, they definitely don't any more

[@gio-oz8gf]

Most pensioners have children and grandchildren who care very much for them. I doubt it has anything to do with votes; it's a way of demonstrating to the rich that it's not just them who will pay. First children, and now pensioners, I'd struggle to think of a better way of f**king up.

[@lat1419]

Wrong. Pensioners vote for all different parties. You've obviously fallen for the gaslighting of the UK for the past 14 years.

[@Tulkash01]

It’s a message to the rich and powerful:”don’t worry, we’ll maintain the natural order of things, you on top and those wretched on the bottom, paying for their idleness!”

[@ster2600]

Pensioners are the real benefit scroungers

[@annenunney9907]

@@ster2600what a stupid comment

[@nidh1109]

Most of the current pensioners probably worked from 15 years old to 65 or 70. At 74 my occupation ruined my health also. If hadn't "paid into the system" and invested that money, probably have way more than a pension.

[@sososoprano1]

@@ster2600- do you think we should all work until we drop dead?

[@jimgillies1749]

​@@ster2600The state pension is a entitlement not a benefit, people have paid into it for years.We have one of the lowest state pensions in Europe.Your comment is insulting to all the hard working pensioners who paid their taxes and are still paying them.

[@peteredwards338]

All is not lost! Ethiopia is holding a concert to support British pensioners.

[@David-135]

The orchestra is arriving by inflatable boats on the Kent Coast.

[@AhmedMushtaq-ux9wu]

Hope is nice.

[@patricklamshear6662]

@@peteredwards338 YOU will be a pensioner some day.

[@peteredwards338]

@@patricklamshear6662 I may already be.

[@kw8757]

@@David-135 😂🤣😂

[@jollyjack5957]

He is targeting pensioners because there is absolutely NOTHING they can do about it, they cannot go on strike, rioting in the streets maybe, I don’t think so, Starmer is an absolute coward, as the old saying goes ‘like taking candy from a baby’, the man is utterly reprehensible and one day as sure as the sun will set he will get his comeuppance.

[@RobinHarris-nf4yv]

Labour are targeting pensioners because 80% of them are home owners and over 800,000 of them are millionaires

[@charlesbridgford254]

Nothing they can do about it.... Similar to third children when their child benefit was withdrawn, with no means-test as a safety net. Nobody cried for them. That's the national shame, and should be reinstated before any non means-tested universal benefit.

[@malcolmstead272]

@@RobinHarris-nf4yv If your figures are true, what about the 20% that rent? Also are there about the same proportion of working people who own their homes, so what is the relevance? As for the 800K millionaires, they are paying the higher rate of tax, perhaps Starmer should have withdrawn it for any pensioner paying 40& tax or over, as some who are £2 over pay 20% tax.

[@RobinHarris-nf4yv]

@@malcolmstead272 the 20% that rent will almost certainly be on pension credit There are not the same amount of people working who own their home. Only about 25% of people under 40 own their own home…..so that includes the group most likely to be starting a family. This country has real problems with insecure accomodation, food and fuel poverty. So we should not be giving money to wealthy pensioners

[@malcolmstead272]

@@RobinHarris-nf4yv I agree, but define a wealthy pensioner? I would suggest if they pay 40% tax, would you agree?

[@wildberrygarden]

I'm also worried about the possibility of the single person council tax discount being scrapped. I'm a single parent and have seen my bills go up and up in the last couple of years. I could really do without that increase, too.

[@stephenbermingham6554]

It will be. Both council tax exemption and winter fuel payments are legal protections for vulnerable people. The votes are not primarily about money, it's about removing the legal protections for vulnerable people in housing tax and energy. Why does he government need to do this? So UK energy act 2023 can be legally implemented. Best placed to read the energy act 2023 and net zero 2030 if you can. Because over the next handful of years whatever struggles you think you experience now will pale in comparison to whats coming.

[@DarrenHarrison7160]

​@@stephenbermingham6554I'm a vulnerable person now. I'm 53. Worked since I was 16. Now I've been medically retired due to Asthma and COPD. I was a specialist Decorator for the National Heritage and I am a paint sprayer, French polisher and exotic wall coverings such as silk and suede etc. I was in college for 8 years learning my trade. I absolutely love it but due to not knowing how toxic the paint truly was and health and safety not being what it is today plus I did smoke too I developed my condition. I cant sue any one company as I worked for multiple people/firms so I can't pin anyone down. My issue is I put into the system I now rely on so how long will it be before they come for me...

[@FlyOz-b7b]

This is how Labor works they coral people with benefits then when your reliant on them they take them away so you learn to comply without question. They are waging war on citizens world wide. Unless citizens stand up and stop them we are all lost

[@LindaWoodley-by3wc]

@@wildberrygarden so am I worried, Starmer was desperate to be Prime minister so he shook hands with as many pensioners to get in then stabs us in the back

[@Florence-z8n]

I've always said that a single person should pay half the council tax of a couple or family not 75 per cent and now it looks like we'll be paying the same. If this happens all single people should refuse to pay the 25 per cent. What will they do if we all refuse?

[@steveb3060]

They are picking on pensioners because a £2 billion saving on winter fuel allowance becomes a £130 billion saving on pensions and benefits if they die.

[@clivegreen7139]

excellent observation.

[@BOZ_11]

that is the most morbid accounting I've ever seen.

[@kantiveja9694]

He wants to pay refugees £250 per week, free house , travel food light bill and so on, what you think the will go back, no at all. The will suck blood till death.

[@steveb3060]

@@BOZ_11 I didn't vote for this evil government.

[@julieknights1238]

@BOZ_11 true though. Labour's own estimate in 2018 was 40000 extra deaths.

[@alangemmell5398]

Too cowardly to go after tax evading big companies.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

SIR Keir the RED TORY will not because he's part of the establishment ! Why do you think he was knighted !

[@chriswasniowski3149]

you dont go after yourself

[@HaydenCyclist]

It's ideological and punitive. We have corporatists in power.

[@oneoflokis]

F*** neoliberals!

[@peteratkin3788]

???

[@monkeykingeater]

Google "corporatism", it doesn't mean what you think

[@HaydenCyclist]

@@monkeykingeater corporitism was the weimar republic. We're not talking about that

[@Lee_303]

We have the Fabian Society in power. They quite like what the Nazis did.

[@bar10ml44]

It's not weird because it has WEF written all over it and Starmer made it clear that he's a WEF man.

[@and3583]

Within days of taking office, Blair took £5 a week (then a substantial amount) from single parents. It seems to be some kind of posturing.

[@tomwalker1900]

This globalist corporate evil all started around the time of Blair/ Bush and the false fear over 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' - the Iraq war was totally based upon lies and was the first example of Global Deception, fast forward to Covid-19, Proxy War against Russia (Blackrock wants the mineral wealth in Russia).

[@kennethhodges3187]

Can someone tell me why this Government didn't pose a 1% wealth tax on the rich rather than take the money off pensioners?

[@loc4725]

Yes. 1. This country is effectively being propped up by around 850,000 high earners, people who already pay *a lot* in tax. Given they have the means to leave the country it's probably not a good idea to also give them a big incentive to do so. 2. This would hit those pensioners who are already complaining, i.e. those who are already well off and yet nonetheless hold a strong sense of entitlement, so would change little. They would just switch to complaining about this new tax, and may actually have a point this time. 3. The current plans would see the state _benefit_ removed from those that do not need it, so where's the problem? I await the comments which conveniently ignore the taking out of (for figurative purposes) £1.20 for every £1 paid in!

[@nigelgarrett7970]

​@@loc4725 The UK is NOT being propped up by high earners tax. That is just a plain lie. Strangely enough the lie is propagated by some richer people, I wonder why they do this?

[@evokestudiosbrighton]

@@loc4725 its a myth that rich leave because of tax, simply not true. they live here because of the culture, tax havens are really boring places to live. 2 - it also hits the many who may be just over the threshold. 3 the plans would also see the benefit being removed from the many that do need it.

[@sososoprano1]

@@loc4725- clearly one of the problems is that nobody on the new state pension qualifies for the WFA now. Perhaps you think that £220.20 per week is a vast fortune, but don’t forget some pensioners are still paying off mortgages and a great number are paying rent. Also, we tend to feel the cold more as we age, even me with Outer Hebrides genes in me, and that leaves us more susceptible to illness and so costing the NHS more.

[@malcky630]

@@loc4725 Are the 850,000 high earners that you are talking about,: the Train drivers: by any chance.

[@poesie6279]

They are impressed by Thatcher and showing how tough they are going to be. it’s macho behaviour, in reality they are bullies.

[@jmcc2275]

One of their advisers used to work for HMRC and he was always of the opinion pensioners had it too good.

[@deborahcoveney8846]

No nasty vicious bullies

[@poesie6279]

@@deborahcoveney8846 yes I should have added those adverbs.

[@poesie6279]

I mean adjectives 🙄

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Yes, once they realised their mistake, they carried on regardless.

[@Betleyman7853]

Perhaps they have some misguided idea that "making a tough decision" will make them look "strong". If so they have got it horribly wrong. I hope sufficient Labour MPs have the guts to vote against or abstain.

[@azillliasmith2734]

I think this is part of it..... showmanship......

[@julieknights1238]

@@azillliasmith2734 showmanship at the expense of the elderly is pretty crass.

[@formicapple2]

The MPs love power and status too much to vote against.

[@clivewilliams3661]

"Tough Decisions" should go along with a benefit somewhere else but that is not true in most cases. Labour always intended to payback their paymasters, whether they deserved it or not and I am disgusted, if that is not too mild a term, that they chose to hit the vulnerable. Those people who should not have to scrimp and save and chose whether to eat or heat in the twilights of their lives, giving them little or no chance to recover. Its not about giving the rich an allowance, because those are a small percentage and besides it would cost more to discriminate between those worthy and unworthy of receiving it. Maybe Labour are gambling on the fact that pensioners are mostly not fit enough to campaign against them, they are truly a sick party.

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

No, it's not that at all. I think people are not understanding Starmer's mission. He does not care about being popular. He wants to do one thing and one thing only, get the UK economy growing again, what ever it takes to do that, even if it means upsetting older pensions. The UK's foundations are definitely unstable, and he wants to get the UK back on track. When Starmer looks at other leading economies he sees how they are growing through investments in infrastructure and technology, while the UK stumbles along with a services driven economy. And all the while UK's best companies are being taken over by the other economies. He wants UK to stop being the way it is and be more of a shark like the other economies.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

The New New Nasty Party

[@haraldtheyounger5504]

Well, Starmer did say "anything the Tories can do, we can do better".

[@sarahjaneross2918]

@haraldtheyounger5504 His list of titles is growing.. Tel Aviv Keith Sir Kid Starver Keir Starmer the pensioner harmer He's doing well.

[@wwilll]

Why are Labour picking on pensioners? Because there are so many hungry migrant mouths that need feeding.

[@magravy1]

Politicians should pay for the errors they make not the public.

[@lat1419]

Fuel poverty is food poverty is just POVERTY. This will drive more pensioners into poverty, and make every waking moment an extreme worry, eating away their last few years in anxiety and poverty. Penny pinching is not a happy way of life, dreading the onset of winter, dreading the next bill, dreading, dreading, dreading......

[@John-js5gk]

I know thay feeling.

[@johnallright6847]

Oh how right you are and anybody that thinks it is OK or funny or alright is a twa.t

[@rigamortice]

SHAME ON YOU if you voted labour

[@johnt8998]

They don't really care if some pensioners don't make it through the winter. After all, they could then save on the pensions that would have been paid, if the pensioners had survived.

[@paulinepress3024]

They will have more for their mussy friends

[@janwillis-owen1528]

Why hit on pensioners? I dread to think what other “punishments” dear Keir has in store for us. I am 85 and in poor health. Very worried and anxious about my future

[@KemPeck1701]

the start of the planned population reduction.. reducing the non-usefull first.. then whittle down the non-complient.. what do you think the push for a new finansual system linked to ID's, increasing surveillance and social credit scores are all about?

[@loc4725]

Back when the Tories first came in they actually crowded about how they were going to punish low earners, mainly those in the north. Now Labour have got in they're 'punishing' those that naturally vote Tory by removing excess benefits. This is how it works.

[@abody499]

the future is only getting started. the worst is yet to come.

[@brianoriordan7281]

Apply for Attendance Allowance it's more than the fuel payment and at your age you'll get it.

[@mikefish8226]

Unfortunately Jan, you aren't deserving, had you come over on a boat, they'd care and you could get nice free accommodation and food. However, they think you are a disgusting pensioner, probably white, and possibly could have voted Tory. They want you gone, and the sooner, the better.

[@josephhoward3558]

God help the MP's who are complicit in this insidious attack on pensioners. What will they tell their grandchildren?

[@igorsagdeev7881]

One of my granddad's was a Commie apparatchik. That was the fecking party that killed part of his own family, in the 1921 famine. What did he tell his grandson many years later? That it was all the fault of the Tories..., sorry, the Tsar, the White Guard, the Kulaks, and the Imperialists 😊

[@peterstephenson6943]

How about taking away mp's expenses I bet that'll put a huge hole in the black hole ....if they can't live on the wage they get there's something seriously wrong....but no that will never happen

[@RobinHarris-nf4yv]

MPs expenses mostly pay for their constituency office and staff

[@azillliasmith2734]

@@RobinHarris-nf4yv still too much.....

[@azillliasmith2734]

@@RobinHarris-nf4yvstill too much

[@azillliasmith2734]

Agree

[@dan77734]

"Respect your parents in their old age and you will have a long life". Don't vote Labour again.

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Makes sense. Most people will grow old.

[@Wilkins_Micawber]

Heaven deliver us from this Labour government. 🙏. I WAS a long time Labour supporter.

[@brianoriordan7281]

If you don't get it already apply for Attendance Allowance it is more than the fuel payment and will not qualify you for it.

[@marijo1951]

I'm one of those affected as I have a minute work pension that takes me a few pounds per week over the Pension Credit limit. My main gripe until now has been that, because of this, I don't qualify for free NHS dental care. Now I'll be missing out on the Winter Fuel Allowance. I'm luckier than some because my flat is very well insulated, unlike some of the draughty old houses that many pensioners live in. Even so, I will be cold at times this winter and will be taking myself to the local public library for a few hours on the days it is open, so I can benefit from their heating.

[@PeterPete]

you can get financial help with dental treatment on the NHS low income scheme!! So what's your gripe?

[@marijo1951]

@@PeterPete Thank you. I'll look into it.

[@PeterPete]

@@marijo1951 so many people are complaining and criticising labour's winter fuel payment proposal and yet very few are actually telling people the help that IS available to pensioners on low incomes!! Insane!!

[@marigoldwhite867]

It's all wrong old people hving to suffer as tgey are a few pence! Over the limit by which they can claim pension credit canvtge not raise the limit

[@marigoldwhite867]

It's because so many won't be able to get pension credit

[@charliekane135]

Because pensioners don't typically vote Labour. Simple

I will never vote for New Labour again. I suffered under Blair and I should have learnt not to trust this government.

[@bar10ml44]

You mean that you still voted for them this time ?

[@paul5589]

They want their homes for other people.

[@rontheretiredone]

You mean illegal immigrants? The algorithm will strike this comment.

[@azillliasmith2734]

Not everyone is plugging a council flat up....

[@charlesbridgford254]

Or just working families.

[@annenunney9907]

I think this is the year of let’s have ago at the Pensioners in April my husband who is 90 who worked from the age of 14 to 65 retired about 25 years ago suddenly became a tax payer again out of his 356 pounds a month pension that he receives each month he now has to pay 11 pounds 20 pence in tax now he has had his winter fuel payment removed all this has happen because of the total greed in certain parts of this country over the last few decades it is beyond belief

[@julieknights1238]

Really? I have a small private pension, that doesn't cover my rent so doesn't benefit me one little bit as the council take that amount off any housing benefit I receive. Out of just over £300 a month, the tax man takes about £40.00 a month.

[@annenunney9907]

@@julieknights1238 that is horrendous

[@elizabethlynam3512]

Yes there is a 20% tax rate. It pays for the NHS , the roads , defence , etc. But if you were not of pension age you would be paying 29%

[@elizabethlynam3512]

Because eof NI contributions.

[@philipbrackpool-bk1bm]

The taxpayers pay to heat MPs second homes.

[@seanwarren6973]

I am starting to really hate all this. how on earth can anybody vote for this its disgusting. people will never forget or forgive this

[@bsimpson6204]

Just remember how they vote and vote accordingly next time

[@annettechinnery1714]

Any member of parliament should not be allowed abstain, they are PAID to make decisions, that means YES or NO AND we have the right to SEE who voted what on every vote - so easy to do online ! Abstaining is akin to not turning up for work and there fore they should not get paid that week! Like the rest of us when we do not work.

[@pinksax]

I hope all the Raynor supporters (of which I was one) note which way she votes. What a disappointment she has turned out to be.

[@krob2327]

She’s a sell out and sadly very academically limited.

[@peterdobson3347]

Scared of a runaway collapse of the pound in the style of Liz Truss, they are looking for easy pickings to look fiscally responsible.

[@shaun906]

most sensible comment on here!

[@oneoflokis]

Key word: "look"! 😏

[@boyracer1965]

fiscally responsible - 22 Billion deficit created by "The Government", take away pensioners winter fuel allowance, send Billions to Ukraine to fund a war that should have never started in the first place and no one wants. Yep that's pretty responsible...

[@andybrice2711]

There must me more to it than that though. They're specifically chosen Winter Fuel Allowance. They could've made that cut from practically anywhere in the budget.

[@terencefield3204]

LOL The pond has been in the toilet for many decades. The pound is always a sell.

[@kathpierce5296]

I'm 74 and have severe arthritis, osteoporosis and fibromyalgia so if I get too cold not only does my pain increase big time, but my joints cease up. They think we can cope on the meagre pension we get and now to take the winter fuel allowance away from those who need it is criminal. They don't care about us pensioners.

[@sososoprano1]

This is the sort of thing some commenting here refuse to understand.

[@igorsagdeev7881]

But don't you own a mansion and have a couple million quid on the bank, like the pensioners they know personally? 😂

[@sososoprano1]

@@igorsagdeev7881 - I own two mansions and make a fortune from renting them out 😂

[@igorsagdeev7881]

@@sososoprano1 I knew all the oldies were rich! I went to Uni and studied Anthropology, because STEM is too hard. I thought I'd be an Equality Officer in a Council (I know the difference between Igbo and Masai!), but there are not enough vacancies for all of us! So I have to work part time as a barista, and I need money from the government more than you do!

[@sososoprano1]

@@igorsagdeev7881 - yep, I have several millions in savings too, just like every single pensioner there is. Those who are on pension credit are just pretending to be poor, and are cheating the system just like everyone else on benefits, but in fact are very rich. They are extremely skilled actors and go to extraordinary lengths to hide the truth of their vast wealth. One day they’ll all be awarded BAFTAS or similar.

[@arikhanaalffie]

Pensioners are too soft target that Starmer picked pensioners, but he won't take a 70% pay cut.

[@AdamCHowell]

Governments, both labour and tory, always do stuff like this. It feels like theres some calculation they've made that if they act like an asshole to the less well off and stubbonly see it through despite the backlash it'll show that they're stong and willing to make hard decisions. Of course they're only willing to make hard decisions regarding the poor so who are they try to impress?

[@julesc1665]

i think we know who they're trying to impress!

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Streeting said it was necessary in order to balance the books. With £2.7 trillion of debt and the winter fuel saving below £2 billion the books will balance in 1,350 year's time.

[@gudgengrebe]

Is because they’re too scared to challenge their paymasters, whoever they are? These people in power all seem to rely on the nation being docile. To our shame, most of us are too docile to even speak out.

[@fylbike]

Even the tories didn't take this away

[@davidellis1355]

Yes that's how bribes work. Considering they are the only age group still voting conservative.

[@shaun906]

but they didnt care about the disabled?

[@annenunney9907]

Apparently Cameron thought about it May did to and so did Sunak and the party opposite Labour who talked them out of doing it has done it themselves you could not make it up could you

[@bigCyril]

@@shaun906And Liebour do ?😂

[@garyt123]

Yes they did.

[@chillitotes]

I'm not sure these Labour MPs would feel uncomfortable

[@eggyboy123]

You are quite right. You see pensioner's can't fight back. Quite simply Starmer and co are making themselves unelectable

[@steverock4329]

I’ll tell you why - because not paying the winter fuel allowance means 4000 pensioners will freeze to death this winter. That’s 4000 pension payments they won’t have to pay amounting to around £40million they can use to keep immigrants cozy

[@charliemoore2551]

It's quite simple. Starmer is signalling to his buddies in the City that, where there are choices, he will choose to hammer the poor rather than do anything to interfere with their continuing pillaging of the economy. He wants to reassure them that this is a continuity Tory government. So keep the donations flowing, guys. Labour is your party now.

[@normaparfitt2614]

Starmer is stamping his little foot and saying 'I will have my own way. I can do this, so I SHALL. Nyah Nyah,Yaa Boo Sucks!'

[@LynnWaggott]

I sooo agree he is a petulant child 😅

[@janetlees5885]

@@LynnWaggott Vile specimen

[@LynnWaggott]

@@janetlees5885 my 13 year old grandchild has more sense!

[@RobinHarris-nf4yv]

Anybody paying attention could see what a poisoned chalice it would be taking over from Tory failure. Keir Starmer is doing what is needed becuse Tories salted the Earth before leaving

[@hathawayrose2183]

I get the feeling that "SIR" Keir Starmer is seething with indignation because he wasn't a Bullingdon boy and never got the chance to burn £50 notes in front of homeless people. Disgusting politician.

[@dee2251]

Abstaining is the cowards way out. It still ensures the vote goes through. Like Pontius Pilate they way their hands of their own complicity and guilt.

[@sososoprano1]

I think some of them will still feel guilty. I think they genuinely feel that being an MP is the best way to try to affect positive change, so will swallow this for the sake of that. SOME of them. ONLY some, unfortunately.

[@judithcressey1682]

It's a cull. Starmer is WEF. Starmer 'prefers Davos over Westminster'.

[@jeanmitchell5834]

Definitely....Klaus Schwab believes in depopulation the masses....then they are easier to govern

[@wildberrygarden]

I wonder if it's because they expect they are already unpopular with that generation (as less likely to vote for them anyway)?

[@stephfoxwell4620]

That generation saw what Marxist dogma did in the 20th century. Killed over 120 million people.

[@Ghengiskhansmum]

Politicians don't care because it will never affect them or their families. Once in parliament your main job is to protect the monarchy and elite ruling class. Your original intentions of serving the public are stripped away by the system under threat of being kicked out, branded a communist or having your life trashed by the mainstream media.

[@indricotherium4802]

Labour seem to have abandoned working on principle for working for principals.

[@julieknights1238]

I remember Blair saying that there's no good having principles if you can't get power, so there's your answer.

[@rightism8777]

When will people realise that Starmer acts in corporate interests only? His membership of the Trilateral Commission should tell you everything you need to know.

[@diverdeep6348]

5 star hotels with state of the art heating. Free internet, phones and free meals everyday, and even get their beds made. Obviously just like where they came from. Wake de fcku up people.

[@JohnSmith-qm6xx]

We have no union and do not vote Labour.

[@mikedelacruz9531]

i so enjoy your talks may thanks

[@vietashroffoliver2521]

There's a rumour that they'll soon take away the bus and travel passes from pensioners

[@brianoriordan7281]

And there are truths that say they will not. Stop scaremongering it doesn't become even Tories.

[@vietashroffoliver2521]

@@brianoriordan7281 I'm not scaremongering. You sound scared responding to my remark about a rumour I heard.

[@brianoriordan7281]

@@vietashroffoliver2521 I fear that some others will be very worried by nonsense about nus passes being taken from them. I, personally, have family who take me, on the rare occasions I do go out since I'm nearly eighty nine, making me very fortunate. I'm sure there are many in their seventies and eighties who are not so fortunate and use their bus pass, a lifeline if you like. It is they scaremongers cause to worry and it isn't necessary. You make statements with no evidence other than "Somebody told me" like the fifth columnists during the WW2. Stop it!

[@fionaholland9191]

Why does everyone assume this is worse than what is being done to those of us who work for a living? Maybe they are having to do this because the rest of us don't have any more money left to squeeze from us. Thanks to those who voted for Brexit....

[@igorsagdeev7881]

Don't ask for whom the bell tolls... Now they came for the pensioners, you may be next. Haven't you noticed how they didn't consider rescinding Sunak's freeze on the tax thresholds? And Brexit is sacred to them, to please their heavily tattooed electorate in the Red Wall.

[@zetectic7968]

The Guardian has reported that if all the 880,000 pension not currently claiming Pension Credit do so to get WFA then the savings will not be £1.5 billion but closer to only 2-300 million. This decision by Reeves is like a big company cutting the stationery budget.

[@rontheretiredone]

Nobody reads the guardian any more

[@user-xu5vl5th9n]

"Fixing the foundations"... by undermining them.

[@garyt123]

I can only hope that this is political theatrics, and that they will shortly announce free energy for all pensioners (receiving less than X income) this winter, paid for by the energy companies in exchange for NOT taxing their exorbitant profits.

[@julieknights1238]

Do you remember prior to the election, people saying vote Labour, they have to talk like Tories to get elected, then they'll change once in government? I suspect your hope is just as futile, but I'll be happy if I'm proven wrong.

[@p1507tricker]

While Labour has everyones attention on Winter Fuel Payments. What else are they doing that no one is noticing?

[@captainnemo190]

Elderly people generally don't fight back.

[@davidellis1355]

You clearly have never worked in retail

[@waynegodfrey8565]

Oh we do,we have long memories and nearly always vote. My MP who I voted for has only 200 seat majority and I live in area with high elderly population.He will be out in 5 years time.

[@annenunney9907]

Well we are going to this time

[@annenunney9907]

@@waynegodfrey8565good for you

[@oneoflokis]

​@waynegodfrey8565 Good! Labour I hope? But don't vote Tory.Vote Green: or LibDem if you can't help yourself! 🙂

[@Celticcross688]

Stop giving to Foreign countries..look after your own people for once,.😮

[@abody499]

the more I see such comments, the more money I think is needed for investment in education.

[@blackroseangel123]

If you think blaming people suffering in other countries will fix the problem you're deluded

[@sylviaball3874]

Stop their prescriptions stop winter fuel allowance. We all die and then no pensions to pay. Loads empty houses. We're not needed any more.

[@paulinepress3024]

Think that's the plan

[@mortelski5814]

Totally agree. It’s a bizarre decision to wave through above inflation pay rises for strikers, while claiming that the (much less costly) winter fuel allowance is unaffordable. Taxing the winter fuel allowance instead is a neat idea. 🤔

[@nigelgarrett7970]

Those "strikers" have had below inflation pay rises (in other words, getting poorer) for 14 years now. Meanwhile, the state pension has gone up on average by more than inflation over the last 14 years. Does it seem so bizarre now?

[@keegan773]

Emailed my MP today, wanted to know is she supports the pensioners who voted for her or is just lobby fodder for the Labour Party. Awaiting the outcome of the vote.

[@jeffbinder3085]

"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot have both” - Machiavelli

[@oneoflokis]

People just hate Starmer though..

[@harrybarrow6222]

It is very unfortunate that people refer to “pensioners”, with an associated stereotype. I am a “pensioner”. I am not living in poverty, having to choose between heating and eating, as some are forced to do. I did research in AI for 40 years, both in the UK and in the USA, in academia and in industry. I retired in 2008. As a result, I live comfortably, sustained by half a dozen pension schemes. I REALLY DO NOT NEED A Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel payment should be targeted to those who really need it. The right wing press, currently hypocritically screaming about Labour’s new policy, are only doing so because many Tory voters are elderly. (I am definitely NOT a Tory voter.)

[@charlesphillips4575]

No sane person who can remember a Labour government will vote Labour, hence the hostility to pensioners.

[@jeanglendinning1860]

if the government really wanted to solve the financial problem they need to stop paying the illegal immigrants and send them back to their countries, instead of punishing the pensioners, howeer im a believer in karma so one day what goes around comes around and starmer and co, will live to regret this

[@pathfinderfergusfilms6630]

Is it possible that they want pensioners to suffer and even expire to save even more money? After all there is a need to house our new Britons etc and spend more and more on the de population of a far away country next to Russia...

[@tommyboyne8870]

they should stop funding the boat people and look after the pensioners

[@brianellis4964]

He's just lost one heck of a lot of votes! In the vote tonight, let us see how many labour mps have parents and backbones!!

[@loc4725]

This is one of those funny comments from Boomer pensioners. What next, a pensioners' strike? He's going after pensioners because he knows he won't materially lose any votes. Pensioners historically vote Tory and this is probably why the Tories keep the benefit even for rich members of that group. But now Starmer's limiting state aid only to those that really need it social media is full of ' I'm not going to vote Labour! 'comments.

[@paulthomas3841]

Labour should Taxe the big business in Great Britain,, not People that have Paid Taxes all their working Life

[@archvaldor]

My guess is that they chose pensioners because they don't vote Labour.

[@Celticcross688]

right✅

[@alexanderferguson2199]

The pensioners in Scotland voted for Starmer and the Labour Party in their hundreds of thousands and returned an additional 39 Labour MPs to Westminster. I have absolutely no sympathy for them.

[@adrianrevill7686]

And in 5 or 10 years how many of today's pensioners will be alive

[@roystonellis6909]

Pensioners in Wales most definitely always vote Labour, it’s the southern English pensioners that vote for the Conservatives.

[@oneoflokis]

But many of them do...

[@malcolmhouston7932]

10 Million votes they will never have again either Nationally or Locally - Or. is the plan to take away the right to vote on reaching retirement age? Starmer, be very afraid of little old Ladies with heavy handbags, Don't forget to claim your own Heating Allowance ( 4 times that of a Pensioner) will you Starmer

[@RamblingTog]

Easy target

[@paraponon]

He picked on pensioners first because he can then say, when he raises taxes for everyone else, "well, pensioners have already had to lose out so you shouldn't complain about being asked to pay more too".

[@12bigredd]

because pensioners were the difference on BREXIT.. so now they have to pay for their isolationism. they stopped the youth moving around freely. btw pensioners own the most homes. and the backlash does not matter one bit.

[@princessperdita]

How does anybody know who voted for Brexit. In my experience it was the mid lifers who voted for it and would do so again

[@12bigredd]

@@princessperdita yep mid lifers and old folks. the people who the system had helped up, now they terrified others will be as well off as them because they think they have a place at the table. BTEXIT was all about "ME" lol

[@davidprocter3578]

Starmer is a very ordinary bully , a coward at heart starmer is just picking on people too old and frail to fight back and least likely to cause him trouble. Why would he care every pensioner that dies is a little more cash to perpetuate the commons heating bill, where is Guy Fawkes when you need him, as a fellow pensioner pissed off with this pugnacious little toad, I would like to point out that there is a lot more to this move than meets the eye.

[@janettaylor9058]

Stop all the money going abroad.

[@MrAlb3rtazzo]

it is late, rich people and investors are leaving the UK

[@abody499]

@@MrAlb3rtazzo are you sure? maybe you could have a look at the private equity "investors" currently very much _in_ the UK.

[@MrAlb3rtazzo]

@@abody499 they are leaving too..and many more are preparing to do so after the budget is delivered

[@abody499]

@@MrAlb3rtazzo no they arent yankee oscar uniform lima yankee india november golf charlie uniform november tango.

[@MrAlb3rtazzo]

@@abody499 you should check your mental health

[@bighutch73]

A policy of spite

[@NikonD5200Channel]

Sometimes I wonder if, when Starmer decided to go into politics, he just tossed a coin to decide which party to join. Labour 'won'.

[@eddieharris6004]

@@NikonD5200Channel The red team or blue?.....no difference realy, the myth of democracy, but the sheep can always be relied on.

[@sososoprano1]

I think perhaps Reeves did that, but I do wonder if Starmer is there because of something more sinister.

[@ianhamilton3113]

I'm a pensioner. I'm not rich but I don't need the winter allowance. Give it to the people who need it!

[@alexhatfield9950]

Get rid of the main parties at the next opportunity.

[@davidmcculloch8490]

Which leaves us with?

[@elephantsdontforget]

​@@davidmcculloch8490Reform!

[@alexhatfield9950]

Hope

[@joysynmonds9082]

.....because they can!!! We are a forgotten army of people who built this country, so others can re-vamp downward.

[@mikedelacruz9531]

Lets face he will be gone in 4 years voted out just like the torys

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

We won't last that long

[@garyt123]

Are you American?

[@billB101]

And then what? It'll leave a power vacuum for the far right to waltz in. I mean, careful what you wish for here.

[@RobinHarris-nf4yv]

Labour will be in power for 13+ years

[@methaneman4045]

@@RobinHarris-nf4yvyou may be right. However much they complain, the majority of voters don’t have the courage to make a fundamental change

[@manishg214]

Pensioners are old and wise enough to see through the Labour lies! They voted for Sunak and are being punished for it. The unions and immigrants from a certain community voted Labour and are being rewarded. 😂😂😊

[@davidmcintyre8145]

Labour made a choice between hitting pensioners who are admittedly largely to blame for brexit and Boris as well as Truss or donors who can grant the new centre right Labour party almost unlimited funds

[@annenunney9907]

I am a pensioner I did not vote for Boris or Brexit and for the first time since I was 18 years old I did not vote Labour I do not trust Starmer I voted Green

[@davidmcintyre8145]

@@annenunney9907 75% of pensioners who voted in 2016 voted for brexit that is a known fact. Without that voter block of 8 million pensioners the UK would still be in the EU

[@foxmoongaze]

Ah, I see you think pensioners deserve it because you didn't want Brexit. Anyway, we never got a Brexit as Labour and the globalists squashed dead every chance and opportunity that came with it - now the UK is a just pseudo member of the EU and a complete joke.

[@sososoprano1]

@@annenunney9907- me too.

[@julieknights1238]

@@annenunney9907 same here.

[@inside-left]

The british state pension is already one of the lowest in europe. The fuel cap is being raised in october and so they decide to scrap the winter fuel allowance. A classic example on how to kick someone when they are down.

[@billmitchell7904]

I left Labour when Starmer kicked out Corbyn . I said he was a Tory then and unfortunately I have been proven right 😢

[@malcolmhouston7932]

What Planet are you from- He's a self- confessed Communist of the most Persecuting and bigoted kind.

[@johnbale6343]

Me to !

[@stephenford8775]

The Tories have always looked after pensioners, them who survive who have voted Labour, will never vote for them again, or any new pensioners.

[@BOZ_11]

I always thought the Tories helped pensioners with utility bills, since they do not want dead pensioners on the front page of the newspapers over the winters. Labour is so cruel, they couldn't give a monkey's if there were. Crueller than the Tories, that's a new standard.

[@Evilc-dq3kf]

Let’s see if Two tier and robber reeves can manage on £12500 a year. That’s paying all my bills and having enough to go shopping for food. I think not.?……..

[@sososoprano1]

Oh but according to some here, that level of income means we’re rich! Their attitude sickens me.

[@sososoprano1]

A lot of younger people have nothing but contempt for us, calling us “boomers”. I see a lot in my 50s born women’s pension groups castigating younger people, saying they’re not willing work, have it much easier than we did etc. It’s one of the things the rich and powerful do best, getting us to blame each other for everything, blinding us to the fact that’s it’s THEM that’s taking everything away from us.

[@JoeM-tx5pm]

I wonder if you own your own house or get all your housing costs paid, which likely leaves you more money than someone working 40 hours a week on the minimum wage but has to pay 800 a month in rent to a landlord. Where was their winter fuel allowance?

[@MrSensible2]

They are not 'picking on pensioners' as you put it! Rich pensioners, of which there are A LOT, have been getting a financial benefit which they did not save for & which is denied to non-pensioners who may be struggling to pay their bills. It is generationally unfair. Pensioners are the new farmers. They whine & moan, forever complaining that they are hard done by, when the majority of them enjoy a highly favourable life style.

[@JohnSmith-tz5ov]

Will the heat be turned down in the asylum hotels.

[@vandalsavage6152]

I think it's called 'spite', Labour are good at it. Most people of pension age are currently white and patriotic, two things Labour hate. The hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants isn't negating the pensioners voting powers fast enough so freezing them out seems their preferred option...

[@johndoyle4723]

Why, punish those who do not predominantly vote Labour and reward those who predominantly do, Unions.

[@oneoflokis]

They didn6get that much of a pay increase, allowing for all the falling behind...

[@mehta423]

She Lucy Powell was not talking utter nonsense - she was talking utter BOLLOXS.

[@chrisfellows4653]

Big round of applause to those pensioners that voted Labour 👏

[@petefitzsimons727]

Give it a rest for fumes sake !

[@jendrizzyy]

No we’re in this mess because of labour voters, it’s dire

[@chrisfellows4653]

Give it a rest? The real chaos hasn’t even started yet!

[@martinjenkins8270]

It’s not just the poor pensioners it’s the British people