Labour leader Keir Starmer has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to apologize for the £22 billion black hole in government finances that he claims the Conservatives left hidden from the Office for Budget Responsibility. Starmer accuses the Tories of voting to remove the winter fuel payment from over 10 million pensioners, including those on just £13,000 a year. He challenges Sunak to publish the impact assessment this week.
In response, Sunak defends the government’s actions and urges Starmer to apologize for the alleged black hole. He questions Labour’s decision to remove winter fuel payments and highlights the impact on pensioners. The debate also touches on issues related to farmland use, food security targets, and working people’s rights.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Rachel Reeves has come under fire for suggesting that she would not mind if an increase in pension credit uptake wiped out the savings from means-testing winter fuel payments. Reeves clarifies that she prioritizes supporting the poorest pensioners over universal winter fuel payments. The Conservatives criticize Labour’s approach, accusing them of making a political choice rather than a financial decision.
The stage is set for Starmer and Sunak to face off in Prime Minister’s Questions, with important statements expected from the business and Northern Ireland secretaries afterward. The debate highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding government finances, social welfare, and economic policies.
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