She admitted that not everyone in her party agrees with her
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has doubled down on her decision to begin means testing the Winter Fuel Allowance. Under the proposed changes to the scheme, only pensioners eligible for pension credit will be able to receive the payments.
In her first speech to the Labour Party Conference as Chancellor in Liverpool today, Reeves described the move as “the right decision in the circumstances that we inherited”.
She added: “I know that not everyone in this hall or in the country will agree with every decision that I make. I will not duck those decisions, not for political expediency, not for personal advantage.”
Reeves’ comments come as a showdown is expected on the issues at the conference. Unions including Unite have tabled a motion, expected to be debated and voted on this Wednesday which condemns the decision from the Chancellor. Delegates at the conference are expected to vote in favour of the motion in an embarrassing development for the new government.
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward
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