‘I will be trapped at home’ - Widowed pensioner pleads with Labour ahead of predicted budget change

Distraught pensioner
-Credit: (Image: GETTY)


Ahead of the “painful” budget due on October 30, people are sharing their heartbreaking circumstances in the hopes of convincing Chancellor Rachel Reeves to slam some expected tax increases. While Labour’s manifesto promised not to increase the taxes of working people, some other changes could indirectly impact everyday people such as a rise in fuel duty.

Speaking to FairFuel UK, who are sending a petition to Parliament on Tuesday, one retiree shared her devastating outlook if the Chancellor follows through on this reported plan: “I am a 76-year-old widowed pensioner with mobility problems and, therefore, I desperately need my small car to get out anywhere. If the price of petrol rises any more I will be unable to afford to leave my home.

“I will be trapped at home. I do not qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance because my income is just a few pounds over the limit to claim Pension Credit and, already, I will not be able to afford to have my heating on at all this winter. The cold will seriously affect my arthritic joints and make my mobility even worse.”

Another retiree was in a similar situation as they pleaded: “I'm already being faced losing my Winter Fuel Allowance and my income is just slightly above the line to claim help from Pension Credit. I was under the impression that The Labour Party was THE party that cared for the less well-off. Please show that that is the case!”

Working-age people also highlighted how this move could devastate their family duties: “I rely on using my car every day to look after both of my parents who have dementia. But please keep it frozen, at the very least. UK drivers remain among the highest taxed at the pumps in the world, it is just not fair that the government is already gaining a large proportion of the cost of fuel in tax.”

Another added: “I am the sole provider for my family due to my wife being disabled. I make a 40-mile round trip to work EVERY day and am spending more than £200 a month on fuel and even that is a struggle with the cost of living issues. It is unsustainable as it is without adding even more pressure to the millions of working people. Don't stab us in the back and remember why you were voted in and by who.”

On October 22, FairFuelUK led by founder Howard Cox, Saqib Bhatti MBE and other Conservatives MPs will present the petition with 130,000 signatures to Number 10 Downing Street. The petition, titled Don’t Hike Fuel Duty will be sent to the Chancellor and relevant Cabinet members.