Winter gasoline fundraisers for pensioners surge 3,000% after Labour’s cuts | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Winter gasoline fundraisers for pensioners have surged by nearly 3,000% after Labour’s cuts to the funds, in line with GoFundMe.

The fundraising web site stated it noticed a 2,850% rise in appeals mentioning “winter fuel” this September in comparison with the identical month final 12 months.

It added that extra fundraisers which introduced up the problem have been launched in September than the entire of final winter.

A spokesman for GoFundMe stated: “As winter approaches, we are seeing people come together to help out friends, families and even strangers when they need it most.

“Britons have been displaying their immense generosity doing every thing from donating to their area people store so it may well put together winter care packs to serving to charities assist the aged.”

The Labour Government has faced an intense backlash over plans to restrict previously universal winter fuel payments to only OAPs on pension credit.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves blamed a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied, when she announced the move in July.

The controversial change will see around 10 million pensioners miss out on the payments of up to £300 and is expected to save up to £1.5 billion a year.

But it has been heavily criticised by opposition MPs, charities, unions and some Labour politicians.

A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.

“Many others may also profit from the £150 heat house low cost to assist with power payments over winter whereas our extension of the family assist fund will assist with the price of meals, heating and payments.”

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1972149/winter-fuel-fundraisers-gofundme