Unite accuses Labour of 'cruelty' over winter fuel payment cuts

Labour's biggest union backer has accused the government of being "cruel" over cuts to the winter fuel payment, as it opens a potential rift at the party's conference later this month.

A motion to be submitted to Labour's conference by the Unite trade union - that has been seen by Sky News - says "workers and communities... voted for a better future, not just better management".

It goes on to say: "We need a vision where pensioners are not the first to face a new wave of cuts."

The motion calls for the prime minister to reverse cuts to the winter fuel allowance, end the fiscal rules that prevent further borrowing and introduce a wealth tax.

Responding to the leak to Sky News, Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham said: "There is no question that Britain is better off under Labour... but people voted for change and they now need to see that change.

"The government needs to dump its cruel winter fuel policy... I make no apology for holding Labour's feet to the fire."

There is no guarantee the motion in its current form will be voted on in Liverpool but union sources were confident about the prospects of it making it to the conference floor.

Labour told Sky News they had "no comment at this point".

But a source within the party said: "All motions received are processed by the conference arrangements committee ahead of annual conference."

The move by Labour's biggest affiliate risks opening up a fierce argument at the party's annual gathering later this month.

The cut to winter fuel payments was voted through on Tuesday, with Sir Keir Starmer later admitting that there had been no impact assessment carried out.

Only pensioners who claim pension credit will now receive the payment of up to £300 this winter to help with higher heating bills. Previously, all pensioners received it.

The vote saw huge backlash from MPs and charities, with shouts of "shame" heard in the House of Commons as the cut was voted through.

Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the decision was to help fill a £22bn "black hole" in the public finances.

A total of 53 Labour MPs did not vote, while one Labour MP, Jon Trickett, voted against the government as he said he "could not in good conscience vote to make my constituents poorer".

Ministers have repeatedly said it is a "tough choice" and one they did not want to make, but the state the economy was left in by the Conservatives means they had to make cuts to stabilise it.

-SKY NEWS