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Prime Minister defends decision to scrap winter fuel allowance while signing off more than £10billion of inflation-busting pay increases for public sector workers.H

The Prime Minister was yesterday forced to defend handing bumper pay hikes to public sector workers while slashing cold weather payments for millions of pensioners.

During his first major speech since entering No 10, Sir Keir Starmer was challenged about the decision to sign off more than £10billion of inflation-busting pay increases.

Asked what his message was to pensioners who feel he is balancing the books on their backs, he said he didn’t want to scrap the winter fuel allowance to save an estimated £1.5billion, but argued it was ‘not a particularly well designed scheme’.

He said it is vital ‘support is there for those who need it most’, but added that bringing strike action to an end in the NHS and other public services was critical as the walkouts were impeding economic growth.

During his first major speech since entering No 10, Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) was challenged about the decision to sign off more than £10billion of inflation-busting pay increases

Some 11.4million pensioners receive winter fuel payments ranging from £100 to £300 (Stock photo)

Some 11.4million pensioners receive winter fuel payments ranging from £100 to £300 (Stock photo)

Starmer’s gloomy speech: ‘Things are worse than we ever imagined’

Some 11.4million pensioners receive winter fuel payments ranging from £100 to £300.

Under Labour’s means-testing approach, only those who qualify for Pension Credit and similar benefits will still be able to claim it.

That means as many as 10million pensioners will lose out, just as energy bills go up by around £150 for the average household this winter.

The Prime Minister has come under intense scrutiny for his decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance, a vital benefit for many pensioners, just as he approved over £10 billion in inflation-busting pay raises for public sector workers. Defending the controversial move, the Prime Minister argued that the pay increases were essential to address the cost-of-living crisis and retain key workers in critical sectors like healthcare and education. However, critics have slammed the decision, claiming it unfairly targets the most vulnerable, particularly the elderly, who rely on the winter fuel allowance to heat their homes during the colder months.

Opposition leaders and advocacy groups have called the move heartless and short-sighted, accusing the government of prioritizing one group at the expense of another. The debate has ignited a broader discussion about the government’s spending priorities and its approach to social welfare in a time of economic uncertainty. As public anger grows, the Prime Minister faces mounting pressure to justify his decision and explore alternative ways to support both public sector workers and vulnerable citizens.

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