British pensioners have erupted after Keir Starmer revealed plans to send £1.6billion missile support package to Ukraine, more than what the entire winter fuel scheme would have cost this winter.
Angry pensioners, many who were forced to choose between heating and eating this winter, feel the government is prioritising funding the war in eastern Europe over supporting its own people.
One of Labour’s first acts in power was to remove the winter fuel payment for up to nine million pensioners, something the Prime Minister said was a ‘tough decision’ he had to make after the Tories left a ‘£22billion black hole’ in the nation’s finances.
The move was expected to save £1.3billion for the Treasury in 2024/25 and £1.5billion in winters afterwards, according to the think tank Policy in Practice.
State pensioners protest Winter Fuel Payment axe at Downing StreetGETTY/PA It comes after the Ministry of Defence announced a ‘historic deal’ yesterday worth £1.6billion that will see the UK supply Ukraine with 5,000 lightweight-multirole missiles, ‘crucial for Ukraine’s defence’.
The contract was awarded to Thales in Belfast and will create 200 new jobs while supporting 700 more, the government added.
The similar sums involved in the winter fuel debate have sparked a furious reaction from some pensioners.
David Henderson, from Wallsend-On-Tyne, said: “If Sir Kier Starmer put as much effort into supporting pensioners as he is putting into Ukraine then we might actually get this country back on track. Wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late.”
Stevie McCann said: “Prime Minister Starmer has no problem finding money for war, but he couldn’t find money to protect our pensioners.
“Maybe some day we will be able to have entire control of our own purse strings and invest in the things that matter to people here.”
Keir Starmer has been increasingly vocal in his support of Ukraine while trying to appease Trump
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Alison McRae added: “So much for being the supposed party of the people. As a pensioner and a WASPI am deeply disappointed and not surprised Labour have done nothing of any value to help UK citizens.”
Corrinne Cussans said: “British taxpayers should be the first to benefit from all the tax we pay. We are just being treated like cash machines by this government.”
However, many pensioners welcomed the decision to up support for Ukraine in the face of brutal Russian aggression.
Proponents of the deal argue illegal Russian expansion must be countered or Putin will set his sites on other European countries.
They point to Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister who in 1938 cut a deal with Hitler allowing the German dictator to keep tracts of Czechoslovakia he had annexed in return for a ‘peace guarantee’.
Within a year Hitler invaded Poland and Chamberlain’s ‘peace for our time’ was in tatters, as was his reputation, and Europe descended into the bloodiest war the world has ever seen.
Chamberlain thought he had secured peace when he signed the Munich Agreement with Hitler in 1938. But Hitler broke the agreement and invaded Poland, sparking the bloodiest conflict in world history.
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Barry Whitby said: “A reminder that Russia hasn’t just been terrorising Ukraine: the UK has seen two state-sponsored poisonings on its soil this century, plus they downed MH17, meddled in several countries’ elections and are trying to sabotage critical infrastructure all over the continent.
“Supporting Ukraine is supporting all our interests against Russian aggression.
Sebastian Whitfield added: “It’s imperative for European countries, especially Britain, France and Germany – to ensure Ukraine wins, and that the Russian aggressor, the Russian invader, the Russian imperialists, lose.
“If Russia is allowed to absorb large swathes of sovereign Ukrainian territory, where will they go next? Moldova and Georgia, yes, but who can be sure they won’t try their luck with the NATO Baltic nations?”
Finally, Nathan Smith argued: “Bullies seem to be in fashion round the world. I’m all for Starmer backing a sovereign country that was brutally invaded by a violent dictator.”
Polling by Ipsos Mori found a majority of Britons support backing Ukraine, with just over half (53%) supporting the government’s provision of economic, humanitarian, and defensive military assistance.
This number was falling, down from a high of 68 per cent in February 2023, however.
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Support for Britain’s support of Ukraine
Ipsos Mori
It comes after President Trump said the US would suspend aid to Ukraine today following a public spat between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance teamed up to take on the ‘disrespectful’ Ukrainian leader who they feel is a drain on US taxpayer money.
Commentators have also highlighted how Trump and Vance feel Zelensky wronged them because of their belief he supported the democrats. Republicans also took issue with Zelensky not wearing a suit.
The rapid withdrawal of US support for the Ukraine after three years of brutal fighting has led to mass rearmament and defence spending boosts in Europe.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen proposed today a massive 800-billion-euro plan to beef up defences of EU nations to lessen the impact of potential U.S. disengagement.
The massive “REARM Europe” package will be put to the 27 EU leaders who will meet in Brussels on Thursday in an emergency meeting.
“I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face,” von der Leyen said.
Commenting on the £1.6bn missile package, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “My support for Ukraine is unwavering. I am determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security.
“I am also clear that national security is economic security. As well as levelling up Ukraine’s air defence, this loan will make working people here in the UK better off, boosting our economy and supporting jobs in Northern Ireland and beyond.
“By doubling down on our support, working closely with key partners, and ensuring Ukraine has a strong voice at the table, I believe we can achieve a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine.”
The Prime Minister has committed to increasing spending on defence to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and confirmed an ambition to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament.