Gabrielle Wilde
Guest Reporter
Matthew Stadlen has urged the Labour Government to reconsider its decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments for millions of pensioners.
Speaking on GB News, the commentator called the policy "bad" and warned it would "harm pensioners" as winter approaches.
He said: "The optics were awful. They were awful politically, although from Labour's point of view, it's very, very early in their Government, very early in the parliament, there's plenty of time to recover from it.
"I think it was bad policy because we all know that there will be a lot of people who are just above that threshold who are going to suffer this winter.
"Luckily it's still very mild at the moment. So people will be saving a little bit right now.
"I asked from the beginning that the Labour Government reconsider. I said it publicly and I would ask them to reconsider again, I understand the political toxicity of U-turn."
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He added: "I don't think many people turned out to vote in early July of this year for a Labour Government to harm pensioners, and I think that will be the effect. I would call on them again to change it."
His plea comes as Unite, one of the UK's largest unions, launched a legal challenge against the Government over the cuts.
The union has accused Labour of acting unlawfully and warned that elderly people could die as a result of the policy change.
Unite has sent a pre-action protocol letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall, demanding the reversal of the policy by 7 November.
The union threatens to seek a full judicial review in the High Court if the Government fails to comply.
The controversial decision, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, aims to save the Treasury around £1.5billion.
It will affect an estimated 10 million pensioners who do not receive means-tested benefits.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is not too late for Labour to register the hurt that this cruel policy has caused, step back from picking the pockets of pensioners and do the right thing."
The union claims the government failed to refer the change to the Social Security Advisory Committee and did not adequately consider its impact on disabled people.
The policy change will axe the Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 for all pensioners except those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
Labour claims the cut is necessary to address a £22billion hole in public finances.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the "tough" decision, citing the state of the country's finances. He accused previous Governments of avoiding confronting issues like the cost of Winter Fuel Payments.
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Speaking on GB News, the commentator called the policy "bad" and warned it would "harm pensioners" as winter approaches.
He said: "The optics were awful. They were awful politically, although from Labour's point of view, it's very, very early in their Government, very early in the parliament, there's plenty of time to recover from it.
"I think it was bad policy because we all know that there will be a lot of people who are just above that threshold who are going to suffer this winter.
"Luckily it's still very mild at the moment. So people will be saving a little bit right now.
"I asked from the beginning that the Labour Government reconsider. I said it publicly and I would ask them to reconsider again, I understand the political toxicity of U-turn."
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He added: "I don't think many people turned out to vote in early July of this year for a Labour Government to harm pensioners, and I think that will be the effect. I would call on them again to change it."
His plea comes as Unite, one of the UK's largest unions, launched a legal challenge against the Government over the cuts.
The union has accused Labour of acting unlawfully and warned that elderly people could die as a result of the policy change.
Unite has sent a pre-action protocol letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall, demanding the reversal of the policy by 7 November.
The union threatens to seek a full judicial review in the High Court if the Government fails to comply.
The controversial decision, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in July, aims to save the Treasury around £1.5billion.
It will affect an estimated 10 million pensioners who do not receive means-tested benefits.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is not too late for Labour to register the hurt that this cruel policy has caused, step back from picking the pockets of pensioners and do the right thing."
The union claims the government failed to refer the change to the Social Security Advisory Committee and did not adequately consider its impact on disabled people.
The policy change will axe the Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 for all pensioners except those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
Labour claims the cut is necessary to address a £22billion hole in public finances.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the "tough" decision, citing the state of the country's finances. He accused previous Governments of avoiding confronting issues like the cost of Winter Fuel Payments.
Find Out More...