It is only September, and it is already apparent that Keir Starmer’s government’s honeymoon period has come to a screeching halt, writes Cefin Campbell MS.

Labour’s general election promises of change and renewal now feel a long way away from the Prime Minister’s recent prognosis of a “painful” budget and “short-term pain for long-term good.”

There is no denying that 14 years of Tory mismanagement have played their part in the dire economic circumstances we face – but worse has been the new Labour’s government’s knee-jerk decisions to combat these challenges, forcing vulnerable people into deeper poverty.

I know first-hand the real worry the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment has caused in communities across Wales. For many of those already pushed to the brink by years or ruthless Tory austerity, the payment was a lifeline – however the scrooge-like decision to scrap it will see many of these recipients fearing the unenviable choice between heating and eating this winter.

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In 2022-23, over 34,000 residents in Powys benefited from the Winter Fuel Payment, and as such I have real concerns over the Labour government’s decision to move the goal posts for this policy – particularly for communities in mid Wales. 

We already know rural areas of Wales - such as Powys - face both higher heating costs and greater levels of fuel poverty.

Last year’s figures revealed over two thirds of the county’s households have poor energy efficiency, whilst households continue to be disproportionately reliant on the more expensive off-grid heat sources. 

For these families and household already grappling with the challenges and constrains of rural poverty, the loss of the valued Winter Fuel Payment will be a significant kick in the teeth.

It isn’t just the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment either that will push further people into poverty. Earlier this summer, Labour’s insistence on keeping the Tories’ two-child benefit cap – despite an attempted back bench rebellion - will keep 65,000 Welsh children living in poverty.

Children should not be punished simply for having siblings – and it is deeply disappointing that Labour is deciding to continue with this regressive Tory policy.

Calculated, cold hearted decisions to force vulnerable people into deeper poverty will only have serious, long-term consequences.