'PM has betrayed pensioners once again' - Your Letters: January 6

Keir Starmer has dished out another beating to pensioners, telling Waspi women they won't receive a penny in compensation.

However, the Labour Party had previously vowed to right the historic wrongs experienced by women when it was in opposition, but it looks like Starmer and his party has betrayed pensioners once again.

In late May 2024, doesn't he remember saying: "Pensioner's deserve security in their retirement, and that's what my Labour government will deliver."?

Nine months ago, an Independent parliamentary ombudsman recommended compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 to each claimant. But Starmer has made an unprecedented political choice to ignore the clear recommendations of the parliamentary ombudsman.

Starmer has stirred up an hornet's nest with his decision to deny compensation to what could be millions of Waspi women.​

During the election campaign, Starmer made a pledge that those with the broadest shoulders would be forced to pay their fair share in order to produce an increase in growth and productivity, but he hasn't done it. What he has done is contract the economy by attacking vulnerable pensioners and lots of small to medium sized businesses, by putting up employers National Insurance, instead of attacking greedy corporate conglomerates and the super rich.

Paul Witton, Cannock

NO ROOM FOR NEW YEAR OPTIMISM

It is customary at the turn of the year to look forward to the prospects for the coming year. People love to be optimistic particularly when the year departing has been less than rewarding.

Sadly, there is no room for optimism, no glimmer of light. Lives are going to get harder, and we are all going to be poorer. I say this with absolute confidence supported by the diabolical economic data and the ever-increasing tax burden heaped upon middle England.

It is now bad that the PM is writing to regulatory bodies asking for ideas to kick-start economic growth! You simply couldn't make it up. To add to our woes we have the millstone of a net zero commitment for 2030. That is certain to cost us as our petrol and diesel cars disappear and gas-fired heating must be replaced by expensive heat pumps which may or may not work depending on our home.

The upward movement of our population has made England one of the most crowded places in Europe and the extra people are not increasing the size of the national wealth cake. 

The incredible loss of support for the current government leads me to believe that Britain is on the brink of seismic political changes. Reform UK is capturing the imagination of great swathes of disaffected voters, particularly in Labour heartlands. To save her party Kemi Badenoch must find a way to do a deal with reform. If she doesn't there can be no future for the Conservatives in government ever again. There is little time for delay. If we are ever to enter a new year with hope again then radical change must come. Continue as we are and only misery is certain.

Martin Bristow, Wolverhampton

CONCERNS OVER HOUSE BUILDING

I am deeply concerned by a recent headline that house building is set to soar. Brownfield sites may still have priority but it is alarming that housing will have to be approved on “greenfield” land currently protected by policies.

This implies unacceptable harm to valuable landscapes, one of the county’s important assets. It is also going to affect infrastructure, with increased traffic in towns already congested, provision of schools and availability of medical and other facilities. 

Councils are under obligation to comply with government instruction, but they must also take a firm line and be prepared to refuse planning applications which are not in accordance with current planning policies. They have been elected by the population and need to take heed of their views and the county’s general interests when considering applications. There is indeed a need for more housing but the implications must be taken into account.

Selby Martin, West Midlands

OUT OF TOUCH WITH RURAL AREAS

Family farm tax, the abolition of country sports, abandonment of the chalk stream recovery initiative, development of the green belt.

Why is the Labour Party so out of touch with the countryside and the people who live in it?

David John, West Midlands

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