Starmer stressed that restricting access to the payments was a vital part of reducing spending he said had spiralled under a Conservative government that had “run away from difficult decisions”…reports Asian Lite News
Keir Starmer has urged Labour MPs to support his “unpopular” plan to remove the winter fuel allowance for all but the poorest pensioners, saying the government could not run away from difficult choices.
Speaking in his first major TV interview since taking office, the prime minister also hinted at increased support for Ukraine, saying his visit to the White House next week to see President Biden would be focused on the “strategic” situation there, and in the Middle East.
Asked about Tuesday’s vote on the changes to the fuel allowance, forced after the Conservatives submitted a motion to annul the government’s change to regulations, Starmer refused to say if Labour MPs who rebelled would be stripped of the whip – but made it clear he expected their support.
“That will be a matter for the chief whip,” he told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. “We’re going into a vote. I’m glad we’re having a vote, because I think it’s very important for parliament to speak on this. But every Labour MP was elected in on the same mandate as I was, which was to deliver the change that we need for the country.”
The new government has already suspended the Labour whip from seven MPs who supported an amendment in July to end the two-child benefits cap.
Starmer stressed that restricting access to the payments was a vital part of reducing spending he said had spiralled under a Conservative government that had “run away from difficult decisions”.
“I’m absolutely convinced that we will only deliver that change – I’m absolutely determined we will – if we do the difficult things now,” he said. “I know they’re unpopular, I know they’re difficult. Of course, they’re tough choices. Tough decisions are tough decisions. Popular decisions aren’t tough, they’re easy.
“I do recognise how difficult it is for some people. I do recognise it’s really hard for some pensioners. But of course, they do rely on the NHS, they do rely on public transport. So these things aren’t completely divorced.”
Worries about the impact of the policy change are known to be shared by some cabinet ministers, with some frontbenchers believing the government will have to announce extra support in the budget.
Starmer, however, argued that with the triple lock policy of pension increases, he could guarantee that the annual increase in the state pension “will outstrip any reduction in the winter fuel payment”.
Starmer is due to be in Washington on Friday for talks with Biden, a trip not yet set out by No 10 but announced by the White House.
SNP urges Scottish Labour MPs to vote against
The SNP’s Stephen Flynn has urged Labour MPs to break the whip and vote against plans to cut the winter fuel allowance.
His call comes as Starmer refused to rule out suspending any MP who rebels against the government in the Commons tomorrow night.
“That will be a matter for the chief whip,” he told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. “We’re going into a vote. I’m glad we’re having a vote, because I think it’s very important for parliament to speak on this.
“But every Labour MP was elected on the same mandate as I was, which was to deliver the change that we need for the country. I’m absolutely convinced that we will only deliver that change, I’m absolutely determined we will, if we do the difficult things. Now, I know they’re unpopular, I know they’re difficult. Of course they’re tough choices. Tough decisions are tough decisions. Popular decisions aren’t tough, they’re easy. I do recognise how difficult it is for some people. I do recognise it’s really hard for some pensioners. But of course, they do rely on the NHS, they do rely on public transport. So these things aren’t completely divorced.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that the annual payout in England and Wales would be restricted to those on pension credit or certain other benefits as part of her plan to tackle a £22 billion black hole. That left the Scottish Government with a £160 million funding shortfall, forcing them to follow suit.
The policy is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the up to £300 payment by 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving around £1.4 billion this year.
A number of MPs are expected to rebel when MPs come to vote on a Tory motion to annul the government’s change to the regulations. Rosie Duffield, the Labour MP for Canterbury, has already said she will not vote with the Government.
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