Labour has said all along pensioners in need will still receive the winter fuel payment because more can sign up to pension credit. But now we know that can’t be true, writes Mel Stride
Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride (Image: Getty)
The Government aren’t processing one in five pension credit claims within 50 working days, and that’s before the expected surge in applications for this winter.
That means some pensioners will suffer the uncertainty of waiting 10 weeks to find out whether they qualify for the vital payments cut in a hurry by Labour.
Labour has let slip what we knew all along: pensioners eligible for pension credit will fall through the cracks this winter.
This heartless policy has been rushed through with no warning, not giving vulnerable pensioners time to prepare for a perilous winter.
Retirees in need of support will have to make the impossible choice between heating and eating.
On this basis, Labour Party research which suggested 4,000 pensioners would die as a result of this policy may be an underestimate.
Besides the obvious cruelty of this policy, for which Labour still haven’t produced an impact assessment, it will create extra pressures on our NHS, social care and other essential public services.
The basic unfairness of Labour ripping winter fuel payment from pensioners on roughly £11,500 whilst handing billions to his union paymasters could not be clearer.
When Labour was courting the votes of retirees in the General Election, there were allegedly ‘no plans’ to change benefits for pensioners. But like many promises they made this is one that has been broken extraordinarily quickly.
Express readers know that supporting vulnerable pensioners who have worked hard all their lives is the right thing to do.
Sadly, Labour have quickly turned back on 14 years of improving living standards for pensioners made under the Conservatives. Something that should never be forgotten.
