Focus group of more than 100 voters give their instant verdict on the money-saving measure
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have been under fire over the decision to axe the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire; Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves Darren Staples/PA WireSir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are facing a backlash from many of their own voters, with some vowing to never vote Labour again after they scrapped the universal winter fuel payment.
A 67-year-old Labour voting man, who works in engineering, said: “Never ever will I vote for them again, roll on five years”. A 36-year-old male engineer who voted Labour said: “”I think it’s good they are trying to get the money back but I don’t think it should be against the working people and retired people”.
The winter fuel allowance is an annual tax-free payment worth between £200 and £300 which is designed to help pensioners cover their heating bills. More than 50 Labour MPs did not take part in the vote, including seven ministers, but it is not clear how many deliberately abstained or were absent from Parliament for unrelated reasons.A 32-year-old female supervisor, who voted Labour this summer, said: “If a social energy tariff were introduced, it might help offset the impact of the winter fuel payments cut for those on low incomes or with higher energy needs.
But another Tory voter, a 52-year-old male IT manager, said: “I think this is the right move. There should be no blanket payments to anyone that hasn’t been means tested.”
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