Starmer accused of ‘shafting the country’ over winter fuel payments U-turn – London Business News | London Wallet

During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) the Tory leader accused Sir Keir Starmer of “shafting the country” as he has made a U-turn on the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.

Kemi Badenoch said that Starmer is “desperate” and she said that even his own MPs “hate” him and public will never trust him ever again.

On Wednesday Starmer confirmed during PMQs the U-turn and he announced the means tested threshold will now be changed.

Starmer who has been publicly humiliated told MPs in the house of Commons, “We want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.”

A Labour MP asked Starmer during PMQs what measures the government will take to help pensioners, he replied, “I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis including pensioners.

“As the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their lives go forward.”

Starmer added, “That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.

“As you would expect, Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford. That is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.”

Badenoch mocked the Prime Minister saying, “When this inevitable u-turn on winter fuel comes, and it will from a desperate Prime Minister, what will he say to the 348 Labour MPs who went over the top and voted for the winter fuel cut last September?

“Just like the British public, how can any of them trust the Prime Minister ever again?”

She added: “He promised to protect pensioners, but his winter fuel cut has driven thousands into hardship. His MPs hate this – he can’t see them, but they all look sick just hearing what he’s going to do.

“Oh they’re laughing just as they laughed at the budget – hands up who here wanted winter fuel cuts? Hands up. Not a single one of them. The fact of the matter is this PM is destroying them! They need to look at what they’re doing to the country.”

The Tory leader then accused the Labour Party of “shafting the country.”