Rachel Reeves has stripped up to 10 million pensioners of their winter fuel payments in a bid to fill a £22 billion black hole.
Rachel Reeves defends ‘difficult’ economic decisions
Nearly 60,000 people have demanded that Rachel Reeves “right the wrongs” caused by the “cruel” decision to axe the winter fuel payment ahead of the budget.
The signatories of the online petition have called for the Chancellor to announce winter fuel support, avoid attacks on pensioner benefits and not scrap the single person council tax discount.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Chancellor have angered up to 10 million pensioners with the decision to axe their winter fuel payments of up to £300 a month.
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, said: “The Labour Conference must call a halt to the callous and unnecessary targeting of older people by the Government.
“Older people deserve to be able to enjoy their retirements with dignity, having put their lives into making the country hold its head high in the world.
“We do not deserve being kicked from pillar to post and impoverished because the Chancellor has decided that an example of austerity is what is required, and that pensioners are the easiest targets.”
The petition, created by Silver Voices, wants the Chancellor to recognise the “main problem” of pensioner poverty is caused by the very low relative level of the basic state pension, particularly the old state pension at £169.50 a week.
Older man staying warm near radiator (Image: Getty)
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It also wants Ms Reeves to set targets for eliminating the growing gap between the old and new state pensions.
It added that a “realistic” minimum level of the state pension must be set which is “sufficient for life’s essentials”.
Ms Reeves should also take measures to ensure that the basic state pension is never taxed.
Mr Reed said: “The public is calling on the Government to change tack and produce a Budget which protects older people on modest incomes. We know that Labour activists agree with this analysis.”
The Chancellor has warned of “tough decisions” ahead of the autumn budget on October 30.
