Labour MPs Urge Starmer to Reverse Benefits Cuts After Local Election Backlash

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Labour MPs Urge Starmer to Reverse Benefits Cuts After Local Election Backlash

 

Sir Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure from within his own party to reverse recent welfare cuts, particularly the controversial decision to remove the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners. The backlash follows Labour’s disappointing performance in last week’s local elections, where internal criticism has intensified over policies that MPs say have alienated traditional Labour voters.

 

Labour insiders revealed that one of the most common grievances voiced by constituents on the doorstep during campaigning was the government’s decision to restrict the winter fuel subsidy to only the poorest pensioners. Previously available to around ten million people, the allowance—worth up to £300 per year—was slashed shortly after Labour came to power last year. The fallout from that decision is now being cited as a major factor in Labour’s poor showing at the polls, particularly in heartland areas where support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK surged.

 

Labour MPs and party officials are increasingly vocal about the damage being done to the party’s reputation. Paul Johnson, head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the winter fuel cuts had a far more significant impact than expected. “I was talking to the head of an international insurance company recently who said that the one thing everyone around the world knows about this government is that it's taking money away from helping the cost of fuel for pensioners,” Johnson told Times Radio.

 

Luke Tryl, director of the think tank More in Common, called the policy Labour’s “original sin,” claiming it played a central role in the party’s election losses. Calls for a policy reversal have grown louder over the weekend, with some Labour MPs predicting a partial U-turn before the end of the year.

 

One moderate Labour MP criticized the party for failing to address the cost of living crisis after campaigning on it so heavily last year. “That would be a very tough sell anyway,” the MP said, “but when coupled with countless millions the government can find to house young men arriving on boats every day, it is unsustainable to say we just can’t afford the winter fuel payment or Pip,” referring to the personal independence payment for the disabled. “Reinstating winter fuel and revisiting Pip changes are the minimum that must be done if we want to prevent a Reform wipeout,” he added.

 

Even some MPs considered loyal to Starmer’s leadership have acknowledged the gravity of the situation. One such MP admitted, “I’m sure the government is reflecting on the issues that contributed to the losses last week, including winter fuel payments and disability and health benefits.”

 

Former transport secretary Louise Haigh also weighed in, urging the prime minister to rethink his self-imposed fiscal restrictions, particularly his refusal to raise income tax, VAT or national insurance. Writing in The Times, she said, “Welfare reforms and the loss of the winter fuel allowance were the primary examples offered as to why the Labour government simply did not look like it understood their priorities.” Haigh criticised the government’s post-election response as “alarming,” accusing it of doubling down rather than reconsidering its course.

 

Further research circulated among MPs over the weekend has compounded the concerns. A report from Health Equity North warned that proposed cuts to disability benefits would have a “devastating” effect on deprived communities, especially in the north-east and north-west of England. “The 10 worst-hit constituencies are all Labour-held, and in ‘Red Wall’ areas,” the report stated.

 

Ros Jones, who was re-elected as mayor of Doncaster with a significantly reduced majority, said that Starmer’s cuts to benefits like Pip and the winter fuel allowance had clearly damaged the party’s support.

 

Despite the public stance from Number 10 insisting no changes are planned, some within the party believe a reversal is inevitable. One Labour figure said, “Nobody in Downing Street now thinks this was a good idea. They all realise it was a mistake. Every single one of them. For now, they’re saying they won’t do anything about it but it feels like ‘not yet’ rather than ‘never’.” With the autumn Budget approaching, pressure is mounting for Labour to correct course before further damage is done.

 

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  Adpated by ASEAN Now from Financial Times  2025-05-07

 

 

[BritManToo]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Even some MPs considered loyal to Starmer’s leadership have acknowledged the gravity of the situation. One such MP admitted, “I’m sure the government is reflecting on the issues that contributed to the losses last week, including winter fuel payments and disability and health benefits.”

So Labour are surprised taking 500GBP away from nearly every OAP household has  resulted in pensioners no longer voting for them! Surely they can't be that stupid, it was entirely predictable.

[Denim]

If Labour's thought cuts were needed in the first place to benefit the countries economy then backtracking now would only mean they are worried more about their own jobs than running the country.

[henryford1958]

I think the people would understand if the cuts were really needed to run the country but when they see Labour throwing away billions on net zero and migrants then it makes their decisions totally untenable. If they reversed the cuts then other measures would be needed so we have to pay anyway.

[JonnyF]

Not only was this cruel and callous but it was politically inane. 

 

Especially when people see Billions going to Ukraine, net zero, migrant hotels etc. 

 

Labour are unfit to govern. 

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

So Labour are surprised taking 500GBP away from nearly every OAP household has  resulted in pensioners no longer voting for them! Surely they can't be that stupid, it was entirely predictable.

Maybe they thought they'd all die before voting........

 

44,000 Terminally Ill Pensioners Lose Winter Fuel Payment Under UK Government Changes

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/media/press-releases/44000-terminally-ill-pensioners-lose-winter-fuel-payment-under-uk-government-changes/385291

 

Probably one of the most callous policies ever enacted by a British Gov