David Pinless, founder of The Pensioner Vote, has accused Labour of “hating pensioners” in a recent interview on GB News.
Speaking to Martin Daubney, Pinless expressed concerns about potential future policies targeting the elderly under Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
He questioned whether Labour might introduce means-testing for state pensions, raise the retirement age to 70, or end free prescriptions for over-60s.
Pinless also raised alarm about the proposed Assisted Dying Bill, asking, “Do we really trust the broken, overstretched NHS to administer assisted dying?”
Recent Labour policies have sparked concern among pensioners. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering slashing the tax-free lump sum pensioners can withdraw from £268,275 to £100,000.
Pinless hit out at Labour on GB News
PA / GB NEWS
This follows the controversial decision to means-test winter fuel payments, which Age UK estimates will affect 10.7 million pensioners.
The charity’s analysis suggests that 80 per cent of pensioners aged 80 and over living in or near poverty will lose this benefit.
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Additionally, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is set to introduce a Private Member’s Bill on 16 October to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, further fuelling the debate on pensioner welfare.
Age UK’s analysis paints a stark picture of the impact of winter fuel payment cuts. The charity estimates that 2.46 million pensioners living in relative poverty or just above the poverty line will lose this benefit.
David Pinless joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
This includes 1.1 million disabled pensioners and one million who live alone.
Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams warned that “millions of older people on low and modest incomes could be facing potential disaster as the weather chills.”
The charity is urging the government to reconsider its decision or, at minimum, expand eligibility to include those receiving other benefits such as Housing Benefit and Attendance Allowance.
Pinless is concerned about ‘what comes next’ for pensioners
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The debate around pensioner policies extends beyond immediate financial concerns. Labour’s proposed Assisted Dying Bill, set to be presented by Kim Leadbeater MP on 16 October, has added another layer of complexity to the issue.
While some view it as a compassionate measure, others, like Pinless, express scepticism about the NHS’s ability to administer such a programme.
This comes amid a shifting political landscape, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer promising a free vote on the matter.
