Labour accused of ‘scaremongering’ over claims Tories scrapping the winter fuel allowance could kill off 4,000 pensioners
Senior Tory Damian Green said the comment was 'irresponsible'
JEREMY CORBYN’s Labour was accused of blatant “scaremongering” after claiming Tory policies could kill off nearly 4,000 pensioners.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said scrapping the winter fuel allowance “could lead to 3,850 more deaths this coming winter”.
The Tories have vowed to take the benefit of up to £300 away from the wealthiest pensioners to help pay for a social care shake-up.
This would almost certainly see Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell lose out – given their age and their salaries.
A final decision is expected to be made after consultation later this year.
But furious Tories last night hit back by saying they had vowed to “look after the most vulnerable”.
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 his un-costed promises.
“We have always been very clear that we will always look after the most vulnerable.”
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He added: “The best way to protect our elderly is to keep our economy strong and get the Brexit negotiations right.
“Theresa May has the plan to deliver that and lock in the economic progress we’ve made if she continues as Prime Minister on Friday – Jeremy Corbyn on the other hand would put everything at risk.”