Forum Topic

Ministers Demand More Heating In The Commons

Ministers 'demand more heaters for their offices in the Commons'As 10million face winter fuel cut, ministers 'demand more heaters for their offices in the Commons' as the weather turns colder.It comes as controversy mounts over the decision to withdraw winter fuel payments – worth up to £300 a year to help with heating bills – from many hard-up pensioners. And last night the Tories accused Labour of ‘hypocrisy beyond belief’ over the radiator requests.Senior Tory MP Paul Holmes said: ‘It’s truly shocking that Labour ministers will stay warm this winter, courtesy of the taxpayer, while pensioners will be forced to choose between heating and eating in the face of Labour’s cruel cut to winter fuel payments. It’s clear this Labour Government is not a government of service but one of self-service.’https://mol.im/a/13877317

Sue Hammond ● 97d23 Comments

Reeves unfortunately perhaps didn't realize that talking the economy down is not a good way to go about getting economic growth.I fear that she may have lost some business and private confidence in the economy this last quarter which will have an impact on tax revenue and hence possibly more cuts!Let's hopoe she is now changing her tune, although i'm not so sure. I think she has just been copying Osborne's and Brown's play books and this will go on for another few quarters.

Ed Robinson ● 95d

Sue Gray's Son! Nepotism from the very top! Can the Labour Party get any more sleazy? 🤬

Sue Hammond ● 95d

'What I find heartbreaking in the HoC is the very poor calibre of MPs in all parties'.'Liam Conlon, who was elected last month as the MP for Beckenham and Penge, has quickly been earmarked as one to watch. Within days of his election, he was appointed as a parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Transport. Talk about a rapid rise: perhaps he knows someone at the top?Clue - related to Kier Starmer's Chief of Staff.

John Hawkes ● 95d

That is true, Robert.  I certainly would not dispute it.What I find heartbreaking in the HoC is the very poor calibre of MPs in all parties.  We were taught that the UK was the "cradle of democracy".  Sadly, that no longer applies and I do find it heartbreaking.  Has anybody seen, in black and white, the audit that Rachel Reeves is supposed to have carried out?  We have heard the result, I would love to see the substance.

Ivonne Holliday ● 95d

It is heartbreaking to see OAPs protesting outside the Labour conference in the pouring rain trying to get this idiotic Government with zero optics to listen.Our NHS have already spent money texting, emailing and writing to them encouraging them to get vaccinated this winter.  Instead pensioners are having to stand out in the rain and cold.All these public sector pay rises with no productivity written in and surprise surprise the nurses have just turned down their pay offer because it is a lot lower than the train drivers and doctors.  Reeves should get optic glasses.

Robert Wheeler ● 95d

Michael,I agree with you.  I was, and continue to be, very critical of the conservatives since 2017 (and by this I mean the whole lot, not just the PMs).  And I am not a supporter of any party at the moment - it really is hopeless!As the saying goes, two wrongs do not make one right.It appears to me that the ethos in the HoC has gone completely down the drain.  It is full of self-entitled people who somehow, believe being in power means being dictators and getting away with everything.  Truly heartbreaking!

Ivonne Holliday ● 95d

This board was full of labour supporters condemning the tory govt for every little thing ( messrs Carter, Evan's, Et al) who are noticeably quiet on the labour government's all too messy backhanders

Andy Pike ● 95d

This lot has marketed themselves as a Change Government who clearly are above these things eg freebies and cronyism.The previous Government had ministers who had to resign over some things but everyone seems desperate to say “nothing to see here” about the current Government.  Really how can you call yourself as a man of the people in a football Director’s box.Having just listened to Reeves speech somebody has clearly told her to try and smile and not appear gloomy.  I thought she was public sector focused with pay rises but not increase in performance.  You won’t get growth if people can’t afford to get on trains!

Robert Wheeler ● 95d

'HS2 was initially proposed and launched by the Labour Party - led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the time - during its time in government. The project was officially announced by Labour's Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Adonis, in March 2010'.By far and above the most costly item in the list and we are still paying for it !

John Hawkes ● 95d

I do agree that what previous governments have done is sort of irrelevant but i do find it funny that there's sooo much fuss about these things when the previous goverments failure we given a pass by the same members of this forum.Who remembers?Failing Grayling and the amount wasted on a contract with a ferry company that had no ferries?Billons gone missing on the PPE scandal?HS2!?Wallpaper!All of these things were ignored at the time or let off with a 'well that's what politicians do' statement

Michael Brigo ● 95d

Agree 100%

Andy Pike ● 95d

Hello Andy,Whether "what about the previous government" is valid or not, the truth is that since 2017, the quality of our politicians  has been dire.I wish someone would emerge as a true statesman and not the current lot in Parliament full of disappointments.

Ivonne Holliday ● 95d

What is much worse is payment for second home fuel costs when on such a high salary with such a high pension to follow.  They should be more able than most to organise the updating of insulation and ventilation on their homes - and should be setting an example.

Philippa Bond ● 95d

The problem is, no matter what your politics are, it's clear this lot don t get it.Take away WFHtake free tickets for footballThreaten a dire budget to take away mo ey from hard working folk at all levelsTake Taylor Swift tickets, money for specs, money for clothes, free holidays , money for birthday parties etc etcAnd finally take plenty of pictures with your tax payer funded photographer at £68k per annum.They just don't get the optics of all this and leave themselves wide open fir criticism and ridicule.And really what about the last Govt is no defence or justification.

Andy Pike ● 95d

The Labour government have to be publicly shamed by a union today at their conference about the WFA to do the right thing.  All too late.What a complete mess.  What on earth have they been doing for the last 14 years for power in Government.  Watching the Deputy PM was absolutely laughable if it wasn’t so sad.  Zero optics of what the public are seeing.  Starmer will be totally unable bully boy his way through this, his true colours have been shown to all.

Robert Wheeler ● 96d

I stand by my point, not a single person named, not a shred of evidence.

Michael Brigo ● 96d

@EdShh!🤫Don't give Philippa any encouragement Ed!🤐

Sue Hammond ● 96d

LOL!

Philippa Bond ● 96d

I can see a new Hallam splinter group being set up - Insulate Parliament!

Ed Robinson ● 96d

@Michael Brigo Because it's in the DM it must be made-up, I get it! 🙄

Sue Hammond ● 96d

Ministers are Labour MPs

Andy Pike ● 96d

Not a single Labour MP actually named as asking for extra heating - just 'ministers' - could be anyone or no-one frankly.Non story.

Michael Brigo ● 96d

They are continually rubbing it in. What would they do if nobody paid their bills, put every old person in prison. A lot of elderly people are at home most of the time, they need heating as well.

Barbara Stevens ● 97d