Millions of pensioners just lost a cash lifeline... how can Labour MPs sleep at night?
Up to 10 million people are set to lose the winter fuel payment this winter.
So, Labour forced through the scrapping of winter fuel payments for 10 million older people, despite opposition from across the political spectrum.
This shameful decision will put thousands of older lives at risk this winter.
How can politicians on their fat salaries, many still claiming fuel allowances from the taxpayer, justify forcing more pensioners to shiver through the coming cold spells without heating or hot water?
But this is only the start of the campaign, which will haunt Labour until the policy is reversed.
The Budget on 30 October will be the next target date, when the Chancellor could, if she wished, raise funds from other sources so that older people can be fully safeguarded this winter.
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Our petition, supported by the Express, will continue to gather mass support and there will be no let-up in the number of complaints being made to constituency MPs.
Labour MPs’ face to face surgeries will be dominated by constituents demanding to know why they voted to scrap this vital payment.
Labour can still withdraw or amend the Regulations to mitigate the impact of this brutal policy.
Silver Voices has advocated that if there has to be a cut off point for the payment it should be set at the level of the higher rate of tax and others such as Martin Lewis have suggested alternatives.
It is reckless to set the cut-off point for energy support as low as £218 per week.
Labour should consult on less harmful options in the run-up to the Budget.
And Silver Voices is calling on all the other main older people’s organisations - Age UK, Independent Age and the NPC - to put aside past differences and work together to organise mass protests from older people in the run up to the Budget.
Small single organisation events and publicity stunts may produce photo opportunities, but they won’t move the dial.
We can never give up on the campaign to get the winter fuel payment restored, or concede that it was necessary in any way.
If we roll over now the Treasury will feel emboldened to means test other pensioner benefits or even the state pension itself.
Labour must draw back from this senseless and cruel war against the older generations; we deserve to be treated with dignity and support in our retirement years, rather than being picked out for punishment as a soft target.
