LONDON, Sept 10 (Askume) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday averted a major revolt within his party over plans to cut winter fuel bills for older people by 1.5 billion pounds ($1.96 billion) as his disgruntled lawmakers walked out of the government.
The vote is a crucial test of Starmer’s authority two months after he won a landslide election victory and he sees his plan to cut some government spending as crucial to improving Britain’s public finances .
In the end, only one of the 404 Labour MPs in the House of Commons voted against, and 53 abstained. Some MPs fear they could face disciplinary action if they do not support the policy, as Labour suspended seven MPs in July for voting against the government.
“We need to repair the foundations of our economy,” Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told parliament. “When money is tight our first priority must be getting resources to those who need them most.”
Despite calls to reconsider or ease the impact of pausing payments on the estimated 10 million pensioners not receiving government benefits, Starmer refused to budge and said the key to investment and future economic growth was to create the conditions needed to control spending.
Starmer, who was elected on July 4 on a promise to rebuild Britain, is expected to raise taxes on the rich and make further spending cuts in next month’s budget to address the many problems faced after 14 years of Tory misrule
Speaking to the Trades Union Congress on Tuesday, Starmer made no apologies for saying his priority was economic stability. He blamed the previous Conservative government for leaving behind a 22 billion pound ($29 billion) financial crisis that forced him to make difficult decisions. The Conservatives, currently in opposition, have denied this charge.
Starmer’s speech prompted an enthusiastic but subdued response from union leaders, who have publicly criticised his plans to curb fuel payments.
Government ministers say there is no point in extending fuel subsidies to all pensioners because the burden is borne by the rich who do not need the help.
But the policy would also reduce annual payments by up to 300 pounds ($390) for some low-income pensioners who are not eligible for government benefits.
Tory work and pensions chief Mel Stride called on Labour leaders during a parliamentary debate to “listen to your conscience” and vote to stop spending cuts he said would cause hardship for millions of older people.
Starmer declined to say what action would be taken against Labour MPs who voted against the government.
In July, Starmer took a tough stance against party rebels who had voted against the government’s amendment to lift the ban on second child benefit, expelling seven Labour MPs from the parliamentary party and suspending them for six months.
($1 = 0.7660 British pounds)
