Winter payments were brought in 1997 because it was recognised that the cost of heating along with other rising costs of essentials like food was causing problems for many unable to afford basics to keep warm and well nourished. Failure to allow for this put pressure on the health services, affecting particularly the elderly and schools where children were found to be going hungry.
While thsi affects people in England and Wales, the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Governments will be responsible for taking decisions there. In 2024 Scotland will be taking responsibility for the first time, although it is reported there have been no communications between ministers about practicalities.
In 2019 Labour attacked theTories for taking away TV licences for over 75s. Starmer himself is on record of attacking a Tory MP's suggestion that Winter Fuel Payments should be removed.
Senior Citizens cover the whole range of income brackets, but what is the reality? Payment will be available from some eligible for benefit through a means test. According to responses many who have depended on his support are finding that it will not be available to them this year.
One commented:
"I'm 70 yrs old, my state pension is £12,233 per year for which I worked for 52yrs non stop, I pay more than half my income on rent, can't get any benefits so losing the winter fuel allowance is a bit of a big deal."
Looking elsewhere there are questions to be asked about spending on the provocation of unnecessary wars where spending seems unlimited. The SLP wishes to see projects for peace funded, not those leading to deaths of thousands of civilians, including those in Gaza and Ukraine (which involves funding armies with declared Banderites with fascist insignia on their uniforms taken from their predecessors who assisted Germany in the Holocaust).
Like their Tory predecessors both Prime Minister and Chancellor are personally extremely wealthy. We expect a Labour Government to represent and support those struggling on a low income and more likely to have health problems. In addition the Chancellor has announced a cap on care allowances for the elderly. This appears to be a sell out at an early stage!
John Tyrrell, President, 4/8/2024
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