In a recent Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged concerns over plans to scale back the winter fuel allowance, stating that she is not immune to the arguments presented. She pointed out the rise in the new state pension, emphasizing that pensioners have more money in their pockets this year compared to last year. Reeves mentioned upcoming difficult decisions and attributed the current financial challenges to the previous government’s actions.
The government announced an additional independent appeals process for wrongly accused subpostmasters as part of the Horizon shortfall scheme. The Business Secretary highlighted the importance of justice and fairness in handling such cases. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions regarding funding for bus services in rural areas and the future of the £2 fare cap.
Labour plans to give English local authorities control over bus services to preserve essential routes. On the other hand, the potential means-testing of winter fuel payments has raised concerns about pushing more pensioners into poverty. A thinktank suggested that this policy could add an extra 100,000 pensioners to the poverty category. The government is urged to explore alternative solutions to support vulnerable pensioners.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
