Tory ‘attack on pensioners’ could lead to almost 4000 more deaths, McDonnell

Conservative plans to means-test the winter fuel allowance for pensioners could lead to almost 4,000 more deaths this winter, Labour has claimed.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the Tory programme – including scrapping the pensions “triple lock” and changes to social care – represented “the single biggest attack on pensioners in a generation”.

Labour said public health research had found the fuel allowance was responsible for a 46% fall in excess winter deaths which occurred between 2000 and 2012 – accounting for 4,277 out of the drop of 9,298.

The party calculated that if the Conservative plans were to lead to 90% of pensioners losing the allowance it could be expected to lead to an additional 3,850 deaths this winter.

Mr McDonnell (pictured) said: “Re-electing the Tories will represent the single biggest attack on pensioners in a generation in our country.

“Removing the winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners could leave thousands of the most vulnerable at even more risk this winter.

“On top of their dementia tax, it means that pensioners in our country will struggle to heat their homes and keep their homes under the Tories.”

For the Conservatives, Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green said: “This is irresponsible scaremongering by Jeremy Corbyn – who can’t be honest about the fact he is relying on his magic money tree to pay for all of his uncosted promises.

“We have been very clear that we will always look after the most vulnerable.”

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