Chancellor Rachel Reeves has indicated that the government will have to make “difficult decisions on tax, spending, and welfare” ahead of the October budget.
This comes as the housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycook, defended controversial plans to scale back winter fuel payments for all but the poorest pensioners in England and Wales.
Reeves’ remarks follow a significant Commons vote on Tuesday night, where dozens of Labour MPs abstained from supporting the government’s stance. Pennycook was quick to assert that the policy would not be softened, despite the concerns raised by fellow MPs.
Reeves acknowledged that the UK’s stagnant economic growth, with new figures showing no improvement for the second consecutive month in July, necessitated these tough choices.
“I’ve been really clear that the budget on 30 October will require difficult decisions on tax, on spending, and on welfare. But the prize – if we can bring stability back to our economy, if we can bring investment back to Britain – is economic growth, good jobs, paying decent wages in all parts of our country, to realise the huge potential that we have.”
Rachel Reeves
Despite the public outcry, Reeves defended the cuts to winter fuel payments, stressing that the move was a result of the dire fiscal situation the country finds itself in. She explained that the government had no choice but to plug the “black hole” in the public finances, making this cut “the right decision” for the greater economic good.
Labour Divided as Pensioners Brace for Hardship
Pennycook echoed this sentiment and stated that the decision was not one the government took lightly, but was necessary. Following the defeat of a Conservative motion that sought to reverse the decision by 348 votes to 228, he maintained that the policy would stand. “We’re not going to water down that policy,” he said. “We think it’s the right decision to make.”
His comments come after a stormy night in parliament, where several Labour MPs either abstained from the vote or openly defied the party’s position. Veteran MP Jon Trickett, along with five others who had previously voted against the two-child benefit cap, voiced their disapproval.
Trickett was joined by Apsana Begum, Ian Byrne, Zarah Sultana, Richard Burgon, and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell in opposing the government.
Burgon, speaking on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his frustration, stating, “This cut is not only going to cause even greater hardship for so many pensioners in my constituency who are already living in poverty, but it will also cost lives.”
His remarks highlighted the growing divide within the Labour Party, as MPs grapple with the moral implications of the government’s approach to welfare cuts.
Abstentions Signal Labour’s Internal Struggles
What may prove more concerning for Downing Street is the significant number of Labour MPs who abstained from the vote. One such MP, Rachael Maskell of York Central, has been an outspoken critic of the winter fuel payment cuts.
In a speech to parliament, she described pensioners as making “the hardest budgetary decisions,” noting they have little to no choice but to prioritize essentials like food, shelter, and heating.
Despite this internal dissent, the government remains firm on its stance. Pennycook, in defending the policy, also pointed to the government’s decision to increase public sector pay, aligning with the recommendations of independent pay review bodies.
He suggested that without these increases, the UK could have faced prolonged industrial action, which would have further harmed the economy.
As such, the coming weeks will be crucial for the government as it seeks to implement these cuts amid growing unrest from within its own ranks. Pensioners, many already feeling the pinch from rising living costs, will have to brace for a difficult winter, with less financial support for their heating bills.
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