Keir Starmer was warned that pensioners could die this Christmas after Labour scrapped universal winter fuel payments. In the final Prime Minister's Questions before the festive break, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch tore into the Prime Minister over the decision to make the £300 payment means-tested.
Ms Badenoch told the Commons: 'The tragic reality this Christmas is pensioners will suffer and may even die as a result of this cruel policy. Did the Chancellor consider the impact on councils and on the NHS, or does she just not know what she's doing?'
Sir Keir replied that the Government had to take tough choices to fill a £22 billion black hole left by the previous government. He also accused Ms Badenoch of changing her mind, noting that in 2017 the Tories had committed to ending universal winter fuel payments.
Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show that between April and December 1 2024, 91,000 pension credit claims were awarded while 92,000 were not. The number of pensioners receiving the payment is expected to fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.
Ms Badenoch also criticised the Chancellor's Budget, warning that charities like Marie Curie would have to reduce services due to a 'jobs tax'. Sir Keir defended the Budget, saying it would drive up productivity and give pay rises to the lowest paid and NHS workers.
