Keir Starmer will be ‘personally responsible’ if pensioners die from cold- Robert Jenrick claims

Robert Jenrick, a Conservative politician, has strongly criticized the Labour Party, particularly Sir Keir Starmer (the Prime Minister) and Rachel Reeves (the Chancellor), for cutting winter fuel payments to millions of retired people.

He believes they knew that this decision could lead to pensioners suffering or even dying from the cold. Jenrick argued that both should be held responsible if older people freeze to death this winter.

Jenrick highlighted that Labour had conducted their own research in 2017, which warned that taking away these fuel payments would likely cause nearly 4,000 more deaths among elderly people.

He described the decision as “cruel and immoral” because it leaves millions of people aged 65 and older without financial help to heat their homes during winter.

In his criticism, Jenrick said that this winter is going to be very tough for pensioners, and he blames Starmer and Reeves for making this happen. He pointed out that Labour seemed to prioritize the interests of union workers over helping older people in need, despite knowing the risks.

A recent survey showed that many pensioners who will lose this benefit plan to turn off their heating to save money. Jenrick promised that if he wins the Conservative leadership race, he will reverse these cuts and ensure that pensioners get the support they need.

Jenrick also thinks that Labour’s popularity is falling because of this decision. According to polls, many people are now supporting other political parties, as Labour’s approval ratings have dropped. He compared Labour’s decision to the unpopular “poll tax” introduced in the past, which caused a lot of anger among the public.

Various organizations, like Age UK and Independent Age, have expressed concern about the impact of these cuts. They warned that many older people will likely go without heating this winter, leading to severe health problems. Some pensioners are already struggling financially, and without the winter fuel payments, they may be forced to live in freezing conditions.

Campaigners are urging the Labour government to reverse their decision before it’s too late. They fear that the cuts will lead to more poverty and hardship among the elderly. Health experts have also warned that cold homes can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health problems.

In response, the Labour Party defended its decision, saying it had to make difficult choices due to the financial problems caused by the previous Conservative government. However, critics argue that taking away help from vulnerable pensioners is not the right solution.

In summary, Robert Jenrick believes that the decision to cut winter fuel payments will cause serious harm to pensioners, and he’s calling for Labour to take responsibility and reverse the cuts before it leads to unnecessary suffering and deaths.