Keir Starmer must put British people first, writes Nigel Farage (Image: PA)
Over the course of the last month, no issue has come up more times in my inbox than the government’s plan to take away the Winter Fuel Allowance.New figures released by the ONS show 30,109 people received the winter fuel allowance in my constituency — the highest in the UK.
Research by my team in Parliament suggests that more than 25,000 pensioners could be affected locally by the Labour’s vindictive move.I am the first to recognise there is huge pressure on public finances following years of economic mismanagement by the and Labour (and of course there are some who can afford the cut). But you have to wonder what Starmer’s priorities are here.
The savings of £1.3bn that he is looking to make on the are completely dwarfed by the £5.4bn we are spending on housing for illegal migrants. When is he going to put the British people first?
One of those affected in Clacton is Jim O’Dwyer, a brave 99-year-old WWII hero. Jim flew 31 missions as a rear gunner on a Lancaster Bomber.
He is one of the many thousands in my constituency who will be stripped of the allowance, in his case because he has a small pension.
I am absolutely furious that he has been treated this way. Is this really how we should repay those who served our country? I think not.I am proud that all five Reform MPs voted against cuts to the winter fuel allowance, and on the morning of the vote in Parliament we joined MPs from across the spectrum to oppose it.
Well done to the Daily Express for launching their campaign.My fear is that the choice between heating and eating will get even worse once pensioners are dragged into paying income tax.
Age UK and Independent Age both saw an increase in calls to their helplines earlier this year. Labour must end its war on pensioners and put the British people first, and quickly.