-
Labour's government is under scrutiny for alleged cronyism following the appointment of party donors to key civil service roles. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defends these appointments, while the Conservatives demand transparency regarding the hiring processes. The controversy includes the granting of a Downing Street pass to major donor Lord Waheed Alli and the appointment of Ian Corfield at the Treasury.
-
On August 14, 2024, the Scottish government announced the end of universal winter fuel payments for pensioners, shifting to a means-tested system. This decision follows significant funding cuts from the UK government, leading to broader spending restrictions in Scotland. The new policy will impact around 900,000 pensioners this winter.
-
The Labour government claims to have inherited a £22bn 'black hole' in public finances from the Conservatives, prompting cuts to winter fuel payments. Economists argue that some financial pressures were foreseeable, as highlighted by a recent Institute for Fiscal Studies report on asylum spending overshoots.