'Starmer has abandoned pensioners at every turn...I won't let him get away with it'

Badenoch blasts 'desperate' PM

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millions of older people are still at risk of going cold and hungry this winter despite Sir Keir Starmer’s partial climbdown.

Mrs Badenoch declared “this fight isn’t over” as she praised the Daily Express campaign to reverse Labour’s decision to strip almost 10 million pensioners of support.

Her rallying cry came after the Prime Minister signalled an about-turn over his Government’s controversial decision in a bid to revive his party after poor local elections.

Sir Keir said ministers are considering changing the threshold for receiving the cash — worth up to £300 — because the economy has sufficiently improved.

Mrs Badenoch, who repeatedly challenged the PM over the cut, blasted: “Let’s be clear — this fight isn’t over. We’re yet to see the detail and there is a real risk that millions of pensioners will be left choosing between heating and eating again this winter.

“That’s why we'll keep fighting for pensioners to get the support they deserve. Keir Starmer and this Labour Government have abandoned them at every turn and I won’t let them get away with it.”

She added: “This embarrassing U-turn is a direct result of pressure from the Conservative Party and the relentless campaigning of the Daily Express.

“Since becoming leader, I’ve challenged Keir Starmer week after week over his cruel decision to cut winter fuel payments.

“Now, under mounting pressure, Keir Starmer has finally buckled.

“It’s taken him 10 months to realise it’s simply unacceptable to force vulnerable pensioners to suffer, just so that he can hand out things like inflation-busting pay rises to the trade unions.”

Government officials were unable to say how many more pensioners would be eligible or if the policy would be altered by this winter.