Now THIRTY Labour MPs are joining the revolt against cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel allowance ahead of a crucial vote in the Commons this week

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing crisis over a cut in pensioners’ winter fuel payments, with reports that up to 30 Labour MPs will refuse to back the plan this week.

One potential rebel even suggested it would be “disgraceful” if MPs earning £91,346 a year cut support for older people living on around £13,000 a year.

In a key vote in the House of Commons, the government will seek approval for plans to stop payments to around ten million pensioners.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has justified the drastic cuts as necessary to plug a perceived £22 billion budget hole left by the previous Conservative government.

But the decision angered many Labour MPs who warned that cutting the £300 benefit would lead to “excess deaths” this winter.

To the Prime Minister’s embarrassment, union leaders attending the TUC conference this week will also be voting on the policy on the same day as the Prime Minister addresses the event.

Labour rebels said last night that as many as 30 of them would oppose the Government by refusing to vote for the bill.

But most are likely to abstain after seven Labour peers led to the suspension of the party’s top Whip in July after they openly voted against the Government’s removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Yesterday, Rosie Duffield, a senior Labour MP, told Radio 4’s Today programme that she intended to abstain from voting because her job was to “represent her constituents” and not “cringe” at the Labour Party leadership.

Pensioners living on just over £13,000 a year will lose their right to winter financial support under new proposals.

Today presenter Mishal Husain reminded Ms Duffield that Labour’s online election manifesto included a video in which the pensioner – identified only as “Gary” – said he “supports Labour because it will give us cheaper energy…” and that he would look after “the elderly”.

Ms Husain noted it was unknown whether Gary would lose his winter fuel pay, but Ms Duffield said the video message was “truly awful”.

Ms Duffield added: “I find it particularly disgraceful that MPs, ordinary MPs like myself, are paid £91,000 a year and we are making decisions that will affect people earning £13,000.”

The Government has already launched a campaign to encourage the 880,000 people who do not qualify for State Pension Credit to claim the benefit, which also entitles them to keep their winter fuel allowances.

With a clear majority in the House of Commons, Labour is confident of victory in this week’s crucial vote.

But last night Conservative Party leader Richard Fuller said: “No MP of any party should be afraid to stop Labour’s cruel plans to cut winter fuel payments.”