2024-08-28 03:28:48
Sir Keir Starmer has defended the UK government’s decision to scrap winter fuel benefits for around 10 million pensioners from next month, saying the change was to help patch a £22bn “black hole” in the public finances.
The Labour prime minister said in a speech on Tuesday that he had to be honest and say “things are [would] Before it gets worse [got] We have achieved “better” results when it comes to public spending.
Energy suppliers and a deputy minister will discuss how to help those struggling with their energy bills at a meeting later on Wednesday.
This is the new Report The study found that the reduction in fuel poverty had “remained flat” over the past few years.
Caroline Flint, chair of the Fuel Poverty Commission, which advises the government, said: “Progress has stalled.”
Ms Flint said that while the war in Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic had “masked the lack of real progress in reducing fuel poverty”, the commission hoped its 2023 recommendations would show more progress.
The measures include making bills more affordable through fairer pricing and developing a “robust” fuel poverty strategy.
Ms Flint added that without a change in government policy, fuel poverty levels were unlikely to fall in the short term.
Wednesday’s meeting was called by Energy Consumer Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh last week after The government has announced that it will increase the energy price cap from October.
Energy regulator Ofgem, industry association Energy UK and the Citizens Advice Bureau were also invited to attend.
Ms Fainbra said together they would “help households that are stuck in energy debt and take proactive steps to stop other households falling into this debt”.
However, there are concerns that the government’s decision to stop paying winter fuel benefits of between £100 and £300 a year to pensioners not on benefits could trigger a public health emergency.
“In practical terms, the changes this winter mean some older people will face their highest energy bills ever,” said Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the Alliance to End Fuel Poverty.
“Living in cold and damp homes can particularly impact older people who have disabilities, long-term health problems or poor mental health.”
The charity Age UK said it believed “up to two million pensioners struggling to pay their energy bills will be hit hard by the cuts” and had launched a petition calling on the government to change its policy.
The Conservatives have also urged Labour to abandon the decision and are seeking to challenge the policy change in the House of Commons.
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