Home ‘Winter fuel anger’ as ‘scores of MPs could rebel’

‘Winter fuel anger’ as ‘scores of MPs could rebel’

World

September 9, 2024

byAmerican Salient Staff

'Winter fuel anger' as 'scores of MPs could rebel'

i headlines "ministers consider plan for cheaper energy bills -as Starmer faces winter fuel anger" — The i writes that ministers are considering a plan to give households on lower incomes cheaper gas and electricity bills. It notes a “social tariff” for energy bills is being considered, as criticism mounts over the upcoming cut to winter fuel payments. Ten million pensioners will no longer receive the payments, and it will only be available to those on low incomes who received certain benefits. At the top of the page, pyrotechnics are pictured firing off at the closing ceremony for the Paralympics, where the British team finished second in the medal table with 49 golds.

The Daily Express’s headline quotes Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell who says Labour “clearly planned to betray” pensioners before the election with the cut to winter fuel payments. The Commons will vote on the proposal on Tuesday. Meanwhile actor Dick Van Dyke, 98, is pictured beaming with his Emmy award for Outstanding Variety Special. The paper also picks up the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg interview with Kate Winslet, where the actress called for women to celebrate their real body shape after being told on a recent film set to sit up straighter to hide her belly rolls.

Daily Express headline reads "axing of winter fuel payments was 'cruel planned betrayal'" — The Daily Express’s headline quotes Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell who says Labour “clearly planned to betray” pensioners before the election with the cut to winter fuel payments. The Commons will vote on the proposal on Tuesday. Meanwhile actor Dick Van Dyke, 98, is pictured beaming with his Emmy award for Outstanding Variety Special. The paper also picks up the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg interview with Kate Winslet, where the actress called for women to celebrate their real body shape after being told on a recent film set to sit up straighter to hide her belly rolls.

The Daily Mail says thousands of pensioners could die if winter fuel payments are cut, according to Labour’s own analysis published in 2017. The paper writes the party warned Conservative plans to axe the allowance for 10 million elderly voters would increase excess deaths by 3,850 that winter. Elsewhere, TV presenter Eamonn Holmes is seen with his new girlfriend on a cruise.

Daily Mail headline reads "Labour said cutting OAP winter fuel cash could kill 4,000" — The Daily Mail says thousands of pensioners could die if winter fuel payments are cut, according to Labour’s own analysis published in 2017. The paper writes the party warned Conservative plans to axe the allowance for 10 million elderly voters would increase excess deaths by 3,850 that winter. Elsewhere, TV presenter Eamonn Holmes is seen with his new girlfriend on a cruise.

The Daily Telegraph in its off-lead reports Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he is “not remotely happy” with the winter fuel payment plan. The paper notes up to 40 Labour backbenchers are prepared to abstain in the vote, with a small number expected to vote against the policy. But the paper splashes on an upcoming report this week which has found NHS progress is going backwards for the first time in 50 years. And actress Daisy Edgar-Jones takes centre stage on the broadsheet posing in a chic gown at the premiere of her new film On Swift Horses in Toronto.

The Daily Telegraph headline reads "NHS in decline for first time in 50 years" — The Daily Telegraph in its off-lead reports Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he is “not remotely happy” with the winter fuel payment plan. The paper notes up to 40 Labour backbenchers are prepared to abstain in the vote, with a small number expected to vote against the policy. But the paper splashes on an upcoming report this week which has found NHS progress is going backwards for the first time in 50 years. And actress Daisy Edgar-Jones takes centre stage on the broadsheet posing in a chic gown at the premiere of her new film On Swift Horses in Toronto.

The prime minister has insisted that pensioners will be able to afford the loss of winter fuel payments, writes the Times. The paper adds peers are urging the MPs to vote against the policy, as it will embolden the House of Lords to kill the measure when they get to vote on it on Wednesday. The paper’s off-lead says researchers have found children seriously ill in hospital with pneumonia made a faster recovery after a visit from specially trained medical clowns. “Laughter really is the best medicine”, it writes.

Times headline reads "Starmer to give winter fuel rebels short shrift" — The prime minister has insisted that pensioners will be able to afford the loss of winter fuel payments, writes the Times. The paper adds peers are urging the MPs to vote against the policy, as it will embolden the House of Lords to kill the measure when they get to vote on it on Wednesday. The paper’s off-lead says researchers have found children seriously ill in hospital with pneumonia made a faster recovery after a visit from specially trained medical clowns. “Laughter really is the best medicine”, it writes.

Up to 50 MPs could refuse to back Starmer over cut in fuel payments, says the Guardian. An anonymous MP tells the paper: “I’d expect the vast majority of anyone who does rebel to abstain, and remain inside the tent… abstention is the new rebellion.” The paper observes although there is no chance of the government losing the vote, a significant number of absences would indicate the disquiet over a policy that rebels fear could lose the party votes.

The Guardian headline reads "scores of MPs could refuse to back Starmer over cut in fuel payments" — Up to 50 MPs could refuse to back Starmer over cut in fuel payments, says the Guardian. An anonymous MP tells the paper: “I’d expect the vast majority of anyone who does rebel to abstain, and remain inside the tent… abstention is the new rebellion.” The paper observes although there is no chance of the government losing the vote, a significant number of absences would indicate the disquiet over a policy that rebels fear could lose the party votes.

The Daily Mirror says the inquiry over serial killer nurse Lucy Letby – which begins this week – will look into whether the NHS failed to learn from crimes of fellow serial killers GP Harold Shipman and nurse Beverly Allitt. A solicitor acting for victims’ families said Letby’s crimes are “harrowingly familiar to how Allitt was harming kids”.

Mirror headline reads "the deadly link" — The Daily Mirror says the inquiry over serial killer nurse Lucy Letby – which begins this week – will look into whether the NHS failed to learn from crimes of fellow serial killers GP Harold Shipman and nurse Beverly Allitt. A solicitor acting for victims’ families said Letby’s crimes are “harrowingly familiar to how Allitt was harming kids”.

The Metro front page focuses on the start of the Lampard Inquiry looking at the deaths of around 2,000 people who were either inpatients at NHS-funded independent clinics in Essex or who died within three months of leaving between 2000 and 2023. Its headline quotes a bereaved mother who described the deaths as a “cull”.

Metro front page headline reads "day of truth over mental health 'cull'" — The Metro front page focuses on the start of the Lampard Inquiry looking at the deaths of around 2,000 people who were either inpatients at NHS-funded independent clinics in Essex or who died within three months of leaving between 2000 and 2023. Its headline quotes a bereaved mother who described the deaths as a “cull”.

A woman braces in a jumper, scarf and hat on the front of the Daily Star. “There goes summer as floods give way to an autumn freeze”, the paper writes. After a spell of rain, colder weather is on the way.

The Daily Star headline reads "Brrrrrrrrr" — A woman braces in a jumper, scarf and hat on the front of the Daily Star. “There goes summer as floods give way to an autumn freeze”, the paper writes. After a spell of rain, colder weather is on the way.

And the Financial Times says companies are raising record amounts of debt in the US to avoid possible market volatility due to November’s presidential election and Federal Reserve policy decisions. Elsewhere, Nasa’s stranded astronauts are pictured. The broadsheet says the issues with Boeing-built Starliner craft raises doubts over the aerospace company’s future in the sector.

Financial Times headlines: "US companies pile into debt market as hedge against election turbulence" — And the Financial Times says companies are raising record amounts of debt in the US to avoid possible market volatility due to November’s presidential election and Federal Reserve policy decisions. Elsewhere, Nasa’s stranded astronauts are pictured. The broadsheet says the issues with Boeing-built Starliner craft raises doubts over the aerospace company’s future in the sector.

The row about the government’s decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance dominates the front pages.

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s Commons vote, the Guardian says “up to 50” Labour MPs could refuse to back the plans.

Sources tell the paper that “dozens” could abstain or be absent, but few on the government benches are expected to actually vote against the policy.

“Abstention is the new rebellion” says one anonymous Labour MP.

Describing the vote as “a key test” of Sir Keir Starmer’s authority, the Times says a “bullish” prime minister is “shrugging off” any criticism.

Government sources tell the paper they are not concerned about the size of any potential rebellion.

But it also reports that the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall spent the weekend on the phone, ringing round “wavering backbenchers.”

The Daily Mail asks why Labour is pushing ahead with the policy when it claimed that the party’s own research back in 2017 warned that cutting the payments could lead to the deaths of thousands of pensioners.

The paper says the “shocking analysis” was written after Theresa May’s Conservative government announced similar plans to scrap the allowance and describes the proposal, which was later dropped by the Tories, as the “single biggest attack on pensioners in a generation”.

The Mail points out that Sir Keir was in the shadow cabinet when the research was first published.

Getty Images A hand turning a knob on a radiator

“Don’t be a fuel, Keir” says the Daily Mirror’s editorial. The paper describes the policy as a “political mistake” which “surely merits a rethink.”

It’s urged the government to come up with an “escape route” before tomorrow’s vote.

The i newspaper says the government could respond to the criticism by announcing plans in next month’s Budget for a social tariff for energy bills – similar to those for mobile phones.

The paper says government officials are weighing up the idea, which would give households on lower incomes cheaper gas and electricity.

The Daily Telegraph leads on the findings of a major report on the state of the NHS, due to be published later this week, which will warn that the health service is “going backwards” for the first time in 50 years.

The government-commissioned report, by the surgeon and former health minister, Lord Darzi, will say that progress made since the 1970s on deaths from heart disease is now “in reverse”.

The Times reports that the law enforcement agency at the forefront of the government’s plans to tackle trafficking gangs is “in crisis” and is losing more officers than it recruits.

The paper says a new report on the performance of the National Crime Agency (NCA) concludes that it is “on its knees” due to a lack of funding. The Home Office says it is committed to investing in the NCA.

And according to the Telegraph, “lazy joggers” are paying “mules” to run for them so they do not lose “kudos” on the popular fitness app Strava.

Used by runners, cyclists and swimmers, the app tracks routes and times, allowing amateur athletes to share their progress on social media.

But the paper says it has uncovered a new trend where users offer to take on someone else’s exercise so they can still boast about how fit they are, even when they are too busy or lazy to do it themselves. Strava says any accounts found violating the apps terms of service will be suspended.