Viewers have reacted with fury after Labour minister Ed Miliband described taking the Winter Fuel Payment from 10 million pensioners as ‘the right thing to do’. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero was appearing on Good Morning Britain today and was questioned by host Kate Garraway about the controversial issue.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided that only those who receive Pensions Credit should get the payment of between £2-300 to help with heating their homes. This means just over one million people will now get the money from the original 11 million, with critics saying the bar has been set too low, with many of the poorest missing out.
Mr Miliband said: “Let me deal directly with what you asked about winter fuel payment. Rachel Reeves faced a very difficult financial situation. She took the decision that she wanted to concentrate the help on those who needed it the very most. The very poorest pensioners.
“Now you can agree with that decision or disagree with that decision. But the reason she’s driving forward with take-up of pension credit. We’ve got hundreds of thousands of pensioners who aren’t taking up the pension credit. She wants to spend more money on them so that they can take it up. She’s driving forward with that.
“She’s also increasing the basic state pension significantly next April. That’s already been announced to help the pensions just above that level. So, yes, it’s a difficult decision. Yes, I understand why people have concerns about it, but it’s the right thing to do because she wants to target the help on those who need it.”
Viewers took to X to respond to his claim with one saying: “She says a lot is the right thing to do, it doesn’t mean it is.” Another added: “Ed Miliband is a clown. Him and his party are happy to let pensioners freeze while giving BILLIONS away to Ukraine & overseas Climate Aid.”
A viewer said: “Never do we see the Government talk of a ‘difficult decision’ which sees a reduction in Overseas ‘aid’.” One pensioner said: “I do have an electric blanket and fleece blanket. But the cold air in the room isn’t good for your lungs breathing in the cold damp air. Would Starmer sit there with a heated blanket around him? Think he’ll be going home to a nice log fire.”
An angry watcher added: “It’s the WRONG THING TO DO!!!! It’s FREEZING now! What will it be like for the next 4 months?!! If ANY old people are found deceased in their own freezing cold home, then the @UKLabour will have blood on its hands!!”
On the controversy over donations Mr Miliband said Labour should not offer companies meetings with ministers in return for cash again. Reports this morning suggested Labour’s commercial team had offered company chiefs a chance to “gain insight” with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds for £30,000.
Asked about his message to his party, Mr Miliband told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Don’t do it again is my message.” He also defended his Cabinet colleague Mr Reynolds, telling ITV the minister was “completely unaware of this invitation”, adding: “He is not attending this.”
Mr Miliband also said: “The answer is – whether it is me or Jonathan Reynolds – it is not about paying to have access. That is not what we are about, no.” He also said Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to repay £6,000 worth of donations sends “a signal” and was a “prelude” to introducing new rules on gifts for ministers.
