Keir Starmer putting pensioners 'at bottom' of priority list, warns former minister

Former Pensions Minister Baroness Ros Altmann has warned that OAPs are "at the bottom of the Government's policy priority list". She took aim at Rachel Reeves's axing of the winter fuel payment from millions of pensioners.

Writing in the Express, she called it a "stain on our country" that money is being taken away from older Britons. She said: "For some time, it has seemed that pensioners are at the bottom of the Government's policy priority list."

Altmann added: "Constantly taking money from pensioners in our aging population is a stain on our country."

The former minister also slammed the latest government review into adult social care as "very troubling".

The Government has launched an independent commission on adult social care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey.

While it will issue its first report in 2026, some of its recommendations may not be put into effect for another decade.

She said Britons needed action not "yet another review".

Writing in the Express, she said: "The recent announcement that social care reform - so desperately needed by most elderly and disabled people - has been kicked into the long grass again.

"After removing winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners who struggle to make ends meet, this latest development is very troubling.

"The UK care system is the biggest social policy failure of modern times. With an aging population and rising care costs, reforms were long overdue years ago.

"Perhaps today's politicians calculate that elderly and disabled people are unlikely to take to the streets to protest, and their families are too busy trying to look after their loved ones to fight."

The new independent commission, announced earlier this month, will focus on existing funding in local authorities and the NHS.

Altmann was involved in the Dilnot Commission review into social care more than 20 years ago.

Care minister Stephen Kinnock has described the latest commission as a "once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus on the future of adult social care".

The Government has stressed that the commission is taking a "phased approach" as part of a long-term vision for the sector, and that the use of the word "decade" in the terms of reference is to align with the 10-year health plan.

Mr Kinnock said: "As we build an NHS fit for the future through our plan for change, we are shifting more care into the community - and we cannot succeed in this mission without transforming social care.

"This Government is grasping the nettle on social care reform, and I am delighted that Baroness Casey - one of our country's leading public service reformers - is taking forward this work."

A Government spokeswoman said: "We have been clear that addressing the complex, deep-rooted challenges facing the social care sector will take time, but we are taking action now to improve adult social care through a £3.7 billion funding boost to support social care authorities.

"Alongside this, we are committed to supporting pensioners and have successfully boosted Pension Credit applications with millions also set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock."

For some time, it has seemed that pensioners are at the bottom of the Government's policy priority list. The recent announcement that social care reform - so desperately needed by most elderly and disabled people - has been kicked into the long grass again.

Setting up yet another long-term review and making clear no new funding will be available, means nothing will change.

After removing Winter Fuel Payments from millions of pensioners who struggle to make ends meet, this latest development is very troubling.

The UK care system is the biggest social policy failure of modern times. With an aging population and rising care costs, reforms were long overdue years ago.

Yet, with baby boomers already in retirement, we are back to square one. Social care remains riddled with the problems and injustices highlighted by past reviews and Commissions since the 1990s.

We don't need yet another review. We need action.

Perhaps today's politicians calculate that elderly and disabled people are unlikely to take to the streets to protest, and their families are too busy trying to look after their loved ones to fight.

The system abandons elderly people needing care. In 21st Century Britain, they face a lottery of later life illnesses. Those lucky enough never to need care pay nothing extra.

Those who become ill in the 'right way' such as with cancer, can have their care costs covered by the state.

But those whose health problems, like dementia, are classified as 'social care', are not covered by the NHS.

These people must pay all their own care costs, and also pay extra for people with no savings, who are supposedly funded by their council, because cash-strapped councils do not pay their care costs in full, the burden falls disproportionately on those who are struck by the 'wrong' illnesses.

Wouldn't it be fairer for everyone to contribute something, to some kind of national care insurance scheme, to spread costs more evenly?

As the Government grapples with our failing health service, it should recognise that NHS and social care are two sides of the same coin.

Social care cuts over the years, removing early interventions and preventive measures, increase calls on GPs and NHS hospitals.

A national care service is needed to treat pensioners with dignity and respect, with all paying something towards it.

Constantly taking money from pensioners in our aging population is a stain on our country.