Rachel Reeves's decision to ax winter fuel payments for some pensioners will “put lives at risk” and “haunt” labor for the next five years, campaigners warn.
A petition by over 60s campaign group Silver Voices which demands the reversal of the Chancellor's announcement has amassed over 20,000 signatures in just two days.
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, said “I have only felt this surge of momentum and enthusiasm behind one of our campaigns once before, with our successful campaign to save the Triple Lock.
“Everyone involved with the older age community is united in our outrage at this punitive decision, which will plunge hundreds of thousands of pensioners into poverty.
“Rachel Reeves must be big and powerful enough to recognize that she has made a major political mistake, which if it is not unpicked, will haunt Labor for the next five years.
“We had worried before the election about the influence of the adviser Sir Edward Troup, who had expressed some demeaning views about baby boomers.
“It seems he has more influence than we were told, or there are others who take the same view that pensioners must be targeted for savings”.
The Chancellor confirmed she had made the “difficult decision” to stop winter fuel payments for those who do not receive pension credits or other means-tested benefits.
“This is not a decision I wanted to make nor is it the one that I expected to make, but these are the necessary and urgent decisions that I must make,” Ms Reeves said.
The Government will continue to provide £200 to households receiving pension credit and £300 to those households with someone over the age of 80.
At least 22 charities have penned an open letter to Ms Reeves warning her not to leave older people on a low income “out in the cold”.
Independent Age, one of the charities leading the call, demanded the Chancellor delay making the changes while pension credit is not received by everyone as it should be.
The charity also says the UK Government needs to make sure that everyone receives an adequate income in later life so that those who are not eligible for the benefit, but still face financial hardship, have enough to live on.
Morgan Vine, head of policy and influencing at Independent Age, said: “It is not an overstatement to warn that, in its current form, this sudden change puts lives at risk.
“Too many people on a low income now face an uncertain winter where their budgets are even more stretched and will be forced to make dangerous and stressful decisions.
“While we understand that the UK government must make difficult decisions, this is too much, too soon. We urge the Chancellor not to make this change now, and instead ensure every older person has an adequate income to avoid financial hardship before removing the Winter Fuel Payment. Any less risks serious consequences for older people in poverty.”
Tory MP Greg Smith said: “The award for the shiniest brass neck of the week must surely land with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Before the election, she herself admitted that, unlike previous incoming Chancellors, she would be unable to arrive at the Treasury. claiming not to know the state of the nation's finances because we have the Office for Budget Responsibility. Yet this week she did just that, claiming a £20 billion black hole. A total farce, used as a smokescreen to make political choices on the eye- watering public sector pay increases, coupled with battering pensioners by taking away the Winter Fuel Payment. You literally couldn't make it up.”