It’s no secret Starmer’s decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance has proved controversial, not just with opposition parties, within his own party as well. Now Labour councils are coming up with their own ways to ease the impact on pensioners...

Labour-led Basildon council are introducing its own alternative to the winter fuel payment scheme – Warm Home Guarantee –handing out £100 for 1000 lucky local pensioners – £100,000 of council taxpayers’ money. The stated goal on the council’s website is to help eligible pensioners access the Winter Fuel Allowance and provide additional hardship payments for those struggling with heating costs. Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Labour Leader of Basildon Council, said:

“With rising energy costs, many pensioners are facing tough choices this winter. While we can’t change government policy, we can take local action to protect our most vulnerable residents…The Warm Home Guarantee is about ensuring no pensioner in Basildon faces the cold alone.”

Local Labour politicians are clearly panicking over Reeves’ budget. Will other Labour councils dip into local taxpayers’ pockets to cover the fallout?

Labour-led Bolton Council has landed itself in hot water after splashing over £1,100 of taxpayers’ cash to fund an Extinction Rebellion “climate café.” In July, the council handed a £1,134 grant to the local XR tree-huggers, ostensibly to host monthly get-togethers to “chat about all matters climate-related”. Sounds riveting…

Billed as a “relaxed and informal” safe space, the café sessions have fuelled outrage among Conservatives who’ve blasted the fact that taxpayers’ hard-earned cash is being recycled into the hands of the eco-warriors. Labour’s habit of burning a hole in the public purse on green causes is raising more than just temperatures…