Ben Chapman
Guest Reporter
Sir Keir Starmer struck a sombre tone yesterday as he told GB News that he does "understand the concerns" of pensioners worried about freezing this winter.
The Prime Minister's sobering reflection came after he was told by the People's Channel of a County Durham pensioner who has been left being forced to lug a plug in heater from room to room in his small bungalow because he fears the cost of heating his home.
Billy Pounder, who voted for Labour in July, had opened up to GB News about his regret at supporting Starmer's party as he criticised the decision to slash winter fuel payments as "unfair" on those who have "worked all of their lives".
He explained: "I had a throat operation on my voicebox, then I had three stents in my heart last year, and I've still got issues on one of my valves in my heart, as well as arthritis everywhere.
"I bought a little fire with the extra £50 we got last year, and I move it from room to room so I don't have to heat the whole bungalow.
"It doesn't feel fair at all. They're letting immigrants in and they have never put nothing into this country, and they get free housing, they don't have to scrimp and scrape.
"I've worked all my life, and I've not got a lot in my savings, but I got a little rise at the beginning of the month on the pit pension, which I've had since I was 60. Within a week of getting that, I got a letter off Durham County Council saying my council tax had gone up because of it.
"So they give me it in one hand, and take it out another hand."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
GB News understands some people in Downing Street horrified when they watched Billy Pounder explain the impact the Government's policy would have on him.
Officials were left concerned as they heard the retired miner outline his situation.
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope put Pounder’s concerns directly to the Prime Minister yesterday after he warned Wednesday’s Budget will embrace the “harsh light” of fiscal reality.
“What I would say is that I do understand the concerns that people have, I genuinely do”, Starmer replied.
“That is why we are protecting the most vulnerable with Pension Credit and making sure that everybody entitled to it takes up that Pension Credit, which obviously guarantees them the payment.
“We are also fixing the foundations and stabilising the economy. What that allows us to do is to commit absolutely to the triple lock.
“What that means for millions of pensioners next year is they go up by up to £475 on top of the £900 or so this year.
“That’s why I can say that every pensioner will be better off under a Labour Government that takes the difficult decisions to stabilise the economy.”
The number of pensioners in receipt of winter fuel allowance is set to fall from some 10.8 million to 1.5 million people.
The move could save the Government £1.5billion with only those in receipt of pension credit and other means-tested benefits still eligible for the payment.
Find Out More...
The Prime Minister's sobering reflection came after he was told by the People's Channel of a County Durham pensioner who has been left being forced to lug a plug in heater from room to room in his small bungalow because he fears the cost of heating his home.
Billy Pounder, who voted for Labour in July, had opened up to GB News about his regret at supporting Starmer's party as he criticised the decision to slash winter fuel payments as "unfair" on those who have "worked all of their lives".
He explained: "I had a throat operation on my voicebox, then I had three stents in my heart last year, and I've still got issues on one of my valves in my heart, as well as arthritis everywhere.
"I bought a little fire with the extra £50 we got last year, and I move it from room to room so I don't have to heat the whole bungalow.
"It doesn't feel fair at all. They're letting immigrants in and they have never put nothing into this country, and they get free housing, they don't have to scrimp and scrape.
"I've worked all my life, and I've not got a lot in my savings, but I got a little rise at the beginning of the month on the pit pension, which I've had since I was 60. Within a week of getting that, I got a letter off Durham County Council saying my council tax had gone up because of it.
"So they give me it in one hand, and take it out another hand."
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GB News understands some people in Downing Street horrified when they watched Billy Pounder explain the impact the Government's policy would have on him.
Officials were left concerned as they heard the retired miner outline his situation.
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope put Pounder’s concerns directly to the Prime Minister yesterday after he warned Wednesday’s Budget will embrace the “harsh light” of fiscal reality.
“What I would say is that I do understand the concerns that people have, I genuinely do”, Starmer replied.
WATCH - Keir Starmer responds to Pounder's concerns
“That is why we are protecting the most vulnerable with Pension Credit and making sure that everybody entitled to it takes up that Pension Credit, which obviously guarantees them the payment.
“We are also fixing the foundations and stabilising the economy. What that allows us to do is to commit absolutely to the triple lock.
“What that means for millions of pensioners next year is they go up by up to £475 on top of the £900 or so this year.
“That’s why I can say that every pensioner will be better off under a Labour Government that takes the difficult decisions to stabilise the economy.”
The number of pensioners in receipt of winter fuel allowance is set to fall from some 10.8 million to 1.5 million people.
The move could save the Government £1.5billion with only those in receipt of pension credit and other means-tested benefits still eligible for the payment.
Find Out More...