TV presenter and author Carol Vorderman has urged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to apologise following the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. Speaking on Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge, Vorderman criticised the controversial policy, which was approved in Parliament despite a number of Labour MPs abstaining from the vote.
The cuts, which have reduced the number of pensioners eligible for the payments from 12 million to fewer than 2 million, have been widely condemned by opposition MPs and campaigners. Vorderman expressed disbelief at the decision, saying it was not what voters expected when they backed Labour in the recent general election.
“I think Keir Starmer should apologise. I absolutely do,” Vorderman stated, adding that the move was “astonishing” and would leave many elderly people struggling to make ends meet. While she acknowledged that wealthy pensioners might not need the payments, she argued that cutting support for so many vulnerable people was a step too far.
In response, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones defended the decision, explaining that the government was facing unexpected financial challenges inherited from the previous administration, and tough decisions were needed to stabilise the economy.
You can watch the interview below:
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