03/06/2013

Wealthy Pensioners 'To Lose Fuel Payment'

Wealthy pensioners in the UK would lose their winter fuel payments under new plans being proposed by Labour.

The shadow chancellor, Ed Balls, is expected to make a speech later in London outlining the plans.

He is understood to say the benefits for richer pensioners "can no longer be a priority" in a time of severe public spending.

If the changes go through, around 600,000 people over the age of 61 who pay higher and top income tax rates, would lose their winter fuel payment, saving the government around £100m.

He will also promise an "iron discipline on spending" and look for more action to strengthen the UK's economy.

He is due to say: "The situation we will inherit will require a very different kind of Labour government to those which have gone before.

"We will inherit a substantial deficit. We will have to govern with much less money around. We will need to show an iron discipline."

Mr Balls is also expected to criticise Chancellor George Osborne's economic policies, claiming they have "failed catastrophically" on growth, jobs and deficit reduction.

(JP)

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