Starmer ‘hits Brits in the face’ with his policies, says Badenoch

Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of “punching the British people in the face” by attacking his policies on taxes and benefits for pensioners.

The Conservative Party leader has criticized the Prime Minister for withdrawing winter fuel payments from more than nine million pensioners, saying the changes could contribute to deaths and end up costing taxpayers more money.

She also took aim at legislation to increase employers’ social security contributions from April 2025 and warned the “jobs tax” would hit care homes, hospices, nurseries and charities.

Sir Keir defended the government’s approach and called the Tories “blockers” who were trying to disrupt Labor’s attempts to “rebuild” the country.

The truth is they are punching the British people in the face, literally in the case of one of their MPs, and they will pretend it is the past, but we all know it is their choices, bad choices .

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Badenoch told the Commons: “The truth is this winter people will suffer because of his choices.

“The economy is contracting, inflation is rising and jobs are being lost because of his budget. Retirees will not be able to heat their homes because of his government’s decisions.

“They raised people’s hopes, but then dashed them with broken promises. And now we learn that he is about to give up our hard-won freedoms in Brexit.

“The truth is they are punching the British people in the face, literally in the case of one of their MPs, and they will pretend it is the past, but we all know these are their choices, bad ones. choice.

“If he’s looking for a New Year’s resolution, why doesn’t he start by telling the truth?”

Sir Keir said: “I will do it now: a £22 billion black hole left by them; record the number of people on waiting lists… they should hang their heads in shame; immigration completely out of control, almost a million net migration, she was the cheerleader of it all.

“She wants the truth, it’s the truth, that’s why they’re sitting there.

“While they criticize the country behind the scenes, this government continues its work. Record funding for the NHS, money for our trains, buses and, yes, potholes.

“Wages rise for three million of the lowest paid, wages rise faster than inflation, planning laws are reformed and Great British Energy is created.

“We are just getting started. Next year, we will continue to rebuild, whatever the blockers across the way say.”