PROTESTERS gathered in Westminster today against the government’s plans to cut winter fuel benefits.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said Labour’s claims over a wealth tax were “absolute rubbish” and warned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that he was alienating his supporters less than 100 days since his party was voted in.
She called on Labour MPs to defy the party whip as the government was not delivering on its electoral promise for “real change.”
“I do not understand how a Labour government can cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners and leave the super-rich totally untouched,” she said.
“This is not what people voted for, it’s the wrong decision and needs to be reversed. Labour. Shame on you.”
Joining forces with the National Pensioners Convention and Scottish Pensioners Forum for what they described as a mass lobby before meeting MPs today, Ms Graham added: “They say a wealth tax is too hard, it’s too difficult, it would take too long — and I say absolute rubbish.
“They seem to be able to tax workers, everyday people, in a matter of weeks, as soon as they start work. Why is wealth tax so different?
“So, shame on you Labour — shame on you, for punishing 1.6 million retired people already below the poverty line.
“Shame on you, for delivering cuts to over 1.5 million disabled pensioners. And shame on you for not listening and accepting that this decision is wrong.
“Labour, it’s time to change course. To reverse these cuts before it is too late. Before our NHS is overrun with sick older people or pensioners die from the cold.
“This austerity cut to winter fuel needs to be scrapped.”
Labour’s annual conference passed Unite’s motion demanding a reversal of the winter fuel cuts and the implementation of a wealth tax last month.
A government spokesperson said that given the “dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, while many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with their energy bills over winter as well as the household support fund.”
