Keir Starmer warned that elderly people ‘are going to die’ as fears mount over winter fuel cuts
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has been warned “people are going to die” as a result of his decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. She added: “Is he going to have the courage to back down from a terrible decision?” open image in gallery Keir Starmer was confronted over the winter fuel payment cut Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Sir Keir said: “At the moment, until we bring in the changes, the allowance is paid to everyone, irrespective of whether they need it or not. The row comes days after the government’s official analysis showed that the decision to means test winter fuel payments, announced in July by Rachel Reeves, will drive 100,000 additional pensioners into poverty by 2026. “The modelling also shows that an additional 100,000 pensioners are estimated to be in relative poverty after housing costs in 2026-27, 2028-29 and 2029-30.” Responding to Ofgem’s price cap increase, shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said: “Labour’s reckless energy policies and their cruel plan to scrap the winter fuel payment for 10 million pensioners is leaving families worse off - as we are already starting to see.” Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “The rise in the energy price cap will cause concern for families struggling with the cost of living.