Tories left red-faced over video attacking Labour's winter fuel cuts

by · Mail Online

The Tories have risked embarrassment over a new video attacking Labour's cuts to winter fuel payments amid claims it features 'wealthy' pensioners.

The three-and-a-half minute long video shows a series of retirees condemning PM Sir Keir Starmer's 'horrifying' and 'appalling' decision to slash the energy support.

One described the cash payment as 'literally life-saving' and admitted she was 'absolutely scared' of a cold snap this winter.

Another said axing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners was 'absolutely wrong' while senior Labour ministers are accepting lavish gifts from donors.

But the Conservatives faced claims they had bungled the attack video due to the 'wealthy' appearance of the pensioners, including one 'wearing a Rolex watch'.

The Conservatives faced claims they had bungled the attack video due to the 'wealthy' appearance of the pensioners, including one 'wearing a Rolex watch' 
One critic wrote: 'Guy sat there wearing a Rolex and a lamp that costs more than my car'
Another social media user posted: 'The look of these houses, their clothes, having a piano in a house, pets, the sofas, coffee machines, gardens, suggest to me that these pensioners look like they could afford the bills for the winter'
Shortly after Labour's general election victory, Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the shock announcement she would be axing winter fuel payments for most pensioners

One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'The look of these houses, their clothes, having a piano in a house, pets, the sofas, coffee machines, gardens, suggest to me that these pensioners look like they could afford the bills for the winter.'

Another critic added: 'Their kitchens are almost the size of my entire flat.' And a third said: 'Guy sat there wearing a Rolex and a lamp that costs more than my car.'

But a Tory source stressed those featured in the video are genuine pensioners impacted by Labour's cuts and dismissed online suggestions they were paid actors.

Shortly after Labour's general election victory, Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the shock announcement she would be axing winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

Instead, only those on means-tested benefits will receive the annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300, which was first introduced in 1997.

Ms Reeves and Sir Keir have blamed a £22billion 'black hole' on the public finances, which they claim they inherited from the previous Conservative government.

In the Tory video attacking Labour's action, one pensioner described the winter fuel payment as 'life-saving, literally life-saving'.

She added: 'To be quite honest, I don't know how I'm going to survive to suddenly have that money taken from me.

'I'm scared, to be quite honest, absolutely scared if we have a cold winter.'

Another added: 'The whole thing is appalling, I've heard Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves trying to justify their gifts.

'It's just totally wrong, they give the appearance they don't give two hoots about pensioners.'