A motion calling for Labour to reverse its decision to cut the winter fuel allowance has been backed by members at the party’s annual conference, dealing an embarrassing blow to Sir Keir Starmer. Although the vote is not legally binding, it adds pressure on Labour’s leadership over the controversial decision to withdraw the benefit from millions of pensioners.
The motion was put forward by Unite, the trade union, which has accused the government of embarking on “austerity mark two”. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite and a vocal critic of Sir Keir, introduced the motion by referencing Labour’s post-war election manifesto, which she described as “one of hope”.
She quoted: “The nation wants food, work and homes… It wants a high and rising standard of living, security for all, against a rainy day…” She noted that this was from the 1945 Labour Manifesto, written after the devastation of war. Despite facing a debt level almost three times higher than today, she said, the manifesto made “no mention of cuts, no mention of austerity and certainly no mention of making everyday people pay”.
Graham criticised Labour’s current approach, saying: “I do not understand how our new Labour government can cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners and leave the super-rich untouched. This is not what people voted for. It is the wrong decision and needs to be reversed.”
Under Labour’s new policy, only elderly people on pension credit will receive help with winter fuel bills, ending the previously universal benefit. Labour has defended the move, arguing it is necessary to address the economic challenges left by the Conservatives, including a £22bn financial “blackhole”.
Ahead of the vote, pensions secretary Liz Kendall defended the cut, claiming the Labour government had done more for the poorest pensioners in its brief time in power than the Conservatives had in 14 years. She highlighted the “biggest ever drive” to increase Pension Credit uptake, along with Labour’s commitment to maintaining the pensions triple lock. This, Kendall said, would raise the state pension by an estimated £1,700 during the current parliament, with an additional £6 billion in funding projected for next year.
“This is the difference a Labour government makes,” she stated.
Despite the conference vote, ministers have signalled the policy will not change. Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated at a fringe event that parliament had already voted in favour of restricting winter fuel payments, with “overwhelming support” for the measure. A Conservative motion to block the cut failed earlier this year.
Only one Labour MP, Jon Trickett, opposed the government on the issue, warning it would be a matter of “life and death” for some of his constituents. However, over 50 Labour MPs abstained from the vote.
Winter Fuel Payments For Pensioners: What You Need To Know
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