PENSIONERS BACK COMPROMISE OVER WINTER FUEL BENEFIT
BRITAIN'S pensioners have urged Sir Keir Starmer to support a compromise deal that would mean only the well-off lose winter fuel payments.
An independent survey carried out for the Silver Voices campaign has highlighted the level of concern about Labour's controversial money-saving measure.
Nearly 3,000 members took part, the largest response in the group's history, with nine in 10 opposing the reforms that will leave some retirees £300 worse off.
But they also overwhelmingly supported a possible compromise to protect older people on modest incomes, with 94% in favour of it being taken off wealthy pensioners paying a higher rate tax.
Silver Voices director Dennis Reed said: "Our members support the continuation of the universal payment.
"But they are not greedy. In order to provide a get-out for Labour, we suggest a new cut-off point for this benefit at the level of the higher rate of tax.
"We hope the pressure from MPs over the next few days will persuade the Government to withdraw the regulations and conduct a proper consultation and impact assessment on possible reform of the winter fuel payment, with the universal payment continuing for this winter."
Linking the allowance to the 40% higher income tax rate would mean more than half a million pensioners losing out.
That would be a dramatic reduction from the current 10 million who will lose the allowance thanks to Labour's blanket ban for those not on pension credit.
This story is from the September 06, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 06, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Wicked! Erivo's Oscar nod
Star's best actress nomination for Wizard of Oz prequel
Comic left £6.4m to his wife
COMEDIAN Barry Humphries - famous for creating Dame Edna Everage - left a £6.4million fortune to his fourth wife Elizabeth.
BRUNO GIVES RUBEN BIG LIFT
Captain rescues Amorim with fine last-gasp winner
Samsung unleashes AI tech in battle with Apple
SAMSUNG has launched its new artificial intelligence powered phone series, the latest salvo in its ongoing battle with Apple for global market dominance.
Brewer's fears of a recession
BREWDOG co-founder James Watt has hit out at Chancellor Rachel Reeves for causing huge \"economic pain\".
PEP'S EMPIRE IS FALLING APART
Guardiola now looks broken
Familiar Patten for duo
WIMBLEDON champion Henry Patten claimed his doubles team are proving they are \"one of the top pairs in the world\" after reaching a second Grand Slam final.
Walker makes move to Milan
KYLE WALKER has completed his loan move to AC Milan - but he may have to wait until next month to make his debut.
10 pints driver left victim an amputee
POLICE confront a drink-driver who drank 10 pints before hitting a car head-on - leaving one of the accident victims an amputee.
PALLADIUM FLAW SHOW
World's most expensive jumps horse struggles to woo critics