Pressure Mounts on Keir Starmer as Labour MPs Urge Reconsideration of Welfare Benefits Reduction After Local Elections
Rewritten Article:
Keir Starmer, Labour leader, faces increasing pressure from within his party to reconsider cuts to the winter fuel allowance, following the government's welfare decisions being linked to the party's disappointing election results.
According to Labour MPs and party figures, the removal of winter fuel subsidies from 10 million pensioners has been a significant factor in voters' decision to shun Labour. This policy, which restricts the £300-a-year benefit to only the poorest pensioners, has reportedly been a major disappointment for many, particularly in traditional Labour strongholds.
The policy change was announced just weeks after Labour assumed power last year. In addition, a more recent decision to cut disability benefits is said to have also contributed to the party's losses. Some speculate that Starmer will be forced to reconsider the winter fuel cuts before the year's end.
A moderate Labour MP criticized the party for winning a "cost of living election" last July but then failing to improve the situation for people's living expenses, while simultaneously making it worse for the elderly and disabled. "That would be a tough sell anyway," he said, "but when coupled with countless millions the government can find to house young migrants every day, it is unsustainable to say we just can't afford the winter fuel payment or Pip."
Another Labour MP, perceived as a Starmer supporter, acknowledged the issues contributing to the election losses, including winter fuel payments and disability and health benefits. Louise Haigh, former transport secretary, urged Starmer to reconsider his tax rules that prevent the government from increasing income tax, VAT, or national insurance.
"Welfare reforms and the loss of the winter fuel allowance were the primary examples offered as to why the Labour government simply did not understand the electorate's priorities," Haigh wrote in The Times on Monday.
In the local elections, Labour lost its former stronghold of Runcorn and Helsby to Reform, also losing Doncaster council and nearly toppling Labour in the North Tyneside mayoralty race. Starmer has shifted right in recent months in an attempt to counter Reform's rise, including slashing the overseas aid budget and introducing measures against illegal immigration.
However, many Labour campaigners argued that benefit cuts were a more potent issue in the so-called "Red Wall," the former Labour heartlands of the Midlands and northern England. Over the weekend, MPs shared research suggesting the proposed changes to Pip could have a devastating impact on some of England's most impoverished communities, particularly in the north-east and north-west.
Labour MP Stella Creasy warned against mimicking Reform's divisive approach and called for immediate action to address the cost of living crisis, including ending the two-child cap on benefits and reversing the cuts to Pip. Ros Jones, re-elected Labour mayor for Doncaster, warned about the harm caused by Starmer's cuts to benefits such as Pip and the winter fuel allowance.
It's predicted that a partial U-turn on the winter fuel cuts may occur before Christmas, with the autumn Budget being the most likely moment. One option for reinstating the subsidy could be raising the bar for eligibility, excluding only the wealthiest pensioners. However, a Downing Street official said there are currently no plans to change course on the policy.
- Nigel, a Labour MP, criticized the party's policy of cutting winter fuel subsidies, stating that it would be difficult to justify the decision when the government can find funds for housing young migrants and other initiatives.
- The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, is under pressure to reconsider the winter fuel cuts, as many believe it would help address the cost of living crisis and improve the party's image in traditional strongholds.
- The policy of restricting the winter fuel allowance to the poorest pensioners has been linked to Labour's disappointing election results, with some accusing the party of not understanding voters' priorities.
- Starmer's recent shift to the right, including slashing the overseas aid budget and measures against illegal immigration, might not have been as impactful as the benefits cuts in winning over voters in the so-called "Red Wall."
- Aside from the winter fuel allowance, the changes to disability benefits have also contributed to Labour's election losses, prompting a call for reconsideration from some within the party.
- The autumn Budget is predicted to be the most likely moment for a partial U-turn on the winter fuel cuts, with some suggesting raising the eligibility bar to exclude only the wealthiest pensioners as an option.
- Some politicians, like Stella Creasy and Ros Jones, have warned against attempting to mimic Reform's divisive approach and stressed the need for immediate action on the cost of living crisis, including ending the two-child cap on benefits and reversing the cuts to Person Independence Payment (Pip).
