Lee Anderson in scathing tirade on winter fuel payments: ‘Shame on you!’ | Politics | News

Lee Anderson launched a scathing attack on Labour for stripping pensioners of their winter fuel payment.

The Reform MP called it an “absolute disgrace” that most older people will lose their benefits under plans presented by Sir Keir Starmer’s government.

The Ashfield MP told GB News: “We send about £11 billion or £12 billion a year abroad to help people on their crazy net zero journeys. We have illegal migration which costs us billions of pounds a year.

“Our poor old pensioners who worked all their lives, many of them doing hard work, did not get a big state pension.

“If they are just above that threshold above the pension credit limit, they are losing £300 a year. It is criminal.

“How can I explain to my voters that we pick up people who come in small boats, put them in hotels and spend money on these illegal migrants who have no right to this?

“It’s okay Mrs Jones, a 90-year-old who has worked all her life, we are going to take your Winter Fuel Payment away from you. It is an absolute disgrace and this country should be ashamed.”

Mr Anderson urged that the policy be put to a vote in the House of Commons.

The former Conservative Party deputy leader said: “Hopefully at some point we can have an opposition debate on winter fuel payments. The Labour Party will undoubtedly try to throw in the towel.

“There was no discussion about it, it wasn’t in their manifesto, they discovered this imaginary black hole of £22 billion.

“They have really angered millions of pensioners in this country. Sir Keir Starmer has lied about this, he has been dishonest and deceitful.

“Imagine if Reform or the Conservative Party had taken that decision. They would have rebelled.”

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves has sparked fury with her announcement that winter fuel payments will only be payable for those on pensions.

The benefits of up to £300 a year were previously available to all pensioners, regardless of their income.

Mrs Reeves blamed the state of the public finances, accusing the Tories of leaving a £22bn black hole.

But the move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, charities and even some Labour MPs.

Labour’s election manifesto promised to maintain the triple lock on state pensions, but winter fuel payments were not mentioned in the document.

Sir Keir today stressed that the decision, which should save around £1.5 billion this year, would help “restore the foundations of our economy”.