Starmer’s justification for the winter fuel cut doesn’t stand up to scrutiny
SIR – Sir Keir Starmer seems to be trying to convince the country that taking the winter fuel payment from pensioners is much more difficult than standing up to train drivers and junior doctors (“Sir Keir Starmer: We’re going to be unpopular over winter fuel payment cut”, report, telegraph.co.uk, September 8). Is anyone buying this propaganda? Graeme Brierley
Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire
SIR – It would be interesting to know exactly when Labour decided to axe winter fuel payments. If it was before the election, why was this not in the manifesto, nor mentioned in campaigning? If afterwards, it suggests a knee-jerk reaction without proper analysis. Dishonest or incompetent? Malcolm Whittle
Chieveley, Berkshire
SIR – We are to receive a £400 increase in the state pension next year (report, September 5). After a winter fuel payment of £200 has been removed, this comes out at £4 per week.
Inflation is running at 2.2 per cent, but, since my spending is mainly on food, fuel and council tax, I do not think that my £4 is going to go very far.
Many pensioners will be in the same position, and I am very disappointed that the Government hasn’t got the courage to admit that it has made a dreadful mistake.
J Roberts
Manchester
SIR – The last increase in the state pension, received this year, took millions of pensioners over their personal allowance.
Unless the personal allowance is raised, any increase in the state pension will be subject to tax.
Take this into account, as well as the loss of the winter fuel payment and the higher cost of living, and nothing will be gained.
Diana Batchelor
Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire
SIR – With the imminent loss of the winter fuel payment, and the possible loss of council tax rebates for single occupiers, pensioners are being advised to wrap up warm in winter. How perverse, then, that everyday items such as woollen jumpers and cardigans are getting harder to find.
A trip to two well-known retailers (one with the word woollen in its name) revealed that more and more products are acrylic-based. Not only are these nowhere near as effective as natural fibres, but each article has a warning to stay away from fire. One cannot win.
It’s time that retailers’ marketing departments woke up to what’s happening around them.
Michael Carrivick
Wokingham, Berkshire
SIR – Not all pensioners are poor. When my brother received his £300 winter fuel payment, he promptly booked a table at the Ivy.
David Parker Leatherhead, Surrey