my parents 79 and 80 have long said they shouldn't get the fuel allowance as they are lucky enough not to need it. the government should raise the threshold for those 1 million people just above it and ensure those in need have done i will get it. helen in milton keynes. i sent this to the labour party, a lifelong labour voter, as well as my parents and grandparents before me, i'd encourage the elderly to vote labour at the last election. i do not regret voting. this is unacceptable, this particular policy. that is what we are talking about. should the prime minister split domestic with plan a. he said he was willing to be unpopular two months on end for many people he has certainly cracked that one. let's see what you think about this. we will go to some calls and some texts. we will hear what you think. we are asking whether starmer is right on

winter fuel. whether starmer is right on winterfuel. eat in winter fuel. eat in southampton, winterfuel. eat in southampton, good morning, morandi and st ives, susan in congleton, swindon and room for you as well so get in touch. peter, what would you like to say? it peter, what would you like to sa ? , ., ., say? it is out there online about a — say? it is out there online about a video _ say? it is out there online about a video of - say? it is out there online about a video of keir - say? it is out there online . about a video of keir starmer talking about an 84—year—old pensioner, just before the election she said she couldn't get out of bed in the morning because she didn't want to turn the heating on. he stood there and told her lies and said this will not happen on my watch. he lied, he stood there and lied. are they going to lose their allowance? are they going to turn the heating off in the house of commons? are they going to claim thousands of pounds of expenses on top of the £90,000 salaries? of course they are. starmer is a liar. starmer is a liar.—

they are. starmer is a liar. starmer is a liar. we have free seech starmer is a liar. we have free speech in _ starmer is a liar. we have free speech in this _ starmer is a liar. we have free speech in this country - starmer is a liar. we have free speech in this country and - starmer is a liar. we have free speech in this country and you | speech in this country and you have exercised it. miranda in st ives, what do you think about them implementing this policy when they were so avidly accusing the conservatives of planning the very same thing, miranda? ~ , ., miranda? well, let me start this by saying _ miranda? well, let me start this by saying that - miranda? well, let me start this by saying that i - miranda? well, let me start this by saying that i will- miranda? well, let me start this by saying that i will be l this by saying that i will be 70 next— this by saying that i will be 70 next year so this will affect _ 70 next year so this will affect me. i didn't vote laboun _ affect me. i didn't vote labour. but i'm delighted with everything they have done since they have — everything they have done since they have come in. i think this is absolutely necessary. we haven't _ is absolutely necessary. we haven't seen what they are planning to do in the budget yet — planning to do in the budget yet. they have barely had a chance _ yet. they have barely had a chance to _ yet. they have barely had a chance to get their feet under the table. and yet in the short time _ the table. and yet in the short time that— the table. and yet in the short time that they have been in office. _ time that they have been in office, keir starmer has been building — office, keir starmer has been building bridges with all the european leaders that we had lost friendships and alliances with— lost friendships and alliances with because brexit. the bigger icture is with because brexit. the bigger

picture is positive? _ with because brexit. the bigger picture is positive? you - with because brexit. the bigger picture is positive? you think i picture is positive? you think the bigger picture is positive? and he settled with the doctors here. he told us it would be tough. the country was broken, the country is broken. i have never seen before an election in a party like the tory party try so very hard to lose an election. they let labour have this win because they don't want to clear up their own mess. starmer is attempting to do that. can we notjust hold off a little while at least until we have had the budget, at least until we have seen what is in the budget? i hear ou, what is in the budget? i hear you, miranda, _ what is in the budget? i hear you, miranda, many- what is in the budget? i hear you, miranda, many people. what is in the budget? i hear. you, miranda, many people will hear you and perhaps be standing up now and applauding you and others not so much. i’m you and others not so much. i'm sure! the _

you and others not so much. i'm sure! the nature _ you and others not so much. i'm sure! the nature of— you and others not so much. i'm sure! the nature of it. _ you and others not so much. i'm sure! the nature of it. thank- sure! the nature of it. thank ou so sure! the nature of it. thank you so much _ sure! the nature of it. thank you so much for— sure! the nature of it. thank you so much for getting - sure! the nature of it. thank you so much for getting in i you so much for getting in touch. susan in congleton, for you it isn't a matter of waiting and giving them the benefit of the doubt. remind us of your situation, susan. benefit of the doubt. remind us of yoursituation, susan. i’m of your situation, susan. i'm speaking _ of your situation, susan. i'm speaking on _ of your situation, susan. i“n speaking on behalf of all of the many carers who are caring for their loved ones at home. my for their loved ones at home. my husband wanted to be at home. we brought him out of hospital and he is in a hospital and he is in a hospital bed in the lounge. he has an oxygen machine keeping him alive, he has an electric bed charger on all the time for the hoist. he is also son downing dementia so he's awake all night and the lights are on all night and the lights are on all night and the lights are on all night as well. my heating bill is enormous and also the power. the power that is going out of this home just to keep him comfortable and safe and comfortable is horrendous. the allowance is not means tested, it was brought in and based on

need. so my argument is heating and powerfor somebody in need like this is a medical need. i want to ask your adviser, can you advise me what i should economise on? should it be the oxygen, should it be the electric bed? should it be his diet? should it be the lighting all night to keep him happy? should you be in a room with keir starmer and rachel reeves and angela rayner and others, what would you say? i and angela rayner and others, what would you say?— and angela rayner and others, what would you say? i would ask him, ou what would you say? i would ask him, you tell _ what would you say? i would ask him, you tell me _ what would you say? i would ask him, you tell me what _ what would you say? i would ask him, you tell me what i - what would you say? i would ask him, you tell me what i can - him, you tell me what i can economise on. we don't have pension credit, we are one of the many a few pounds over, and i mean a few pounds. the social worker advised me there is nothing there for us. i'm just saying i'm saving the country a lot of money caring for my husband which is what we want

to do. i don't get the carer allowance because i have the state pension. it isn't a full one but it's enough to get me away from any care allowance. the attendance allowance is taken away from us because it goes towards the carers coming in plus more money will have to pay towards it. i'm not complaining because this is the life we want. the last weeks or months we have together this is our choice. but please, let my husband have the last weeks or months in some degree of comfort and dignity by this government. i comfort and dignity by this government.— comfort and dignity by this government. i think the point ou government. i think the point you make _ government. i think the point you make about _ government. i think the point you make about so _ government. i think the point you make about so many - government. i think the point i you make about so many home carers, people caring for their loved ones, and in effect saving the state money is a point well made and it's a point well made and it's a point a lot of people do make, and thank you, susan. andy in swindon, mike in fareham, and

anne in the wirral, merseyside. difficult to follow susan, what an extra ordinary call. what would you like to say, good morning, anne? it would you like to say, good morning, anne?— would you like to say, good morning, anne? it is strange listenin: morning, anne? it is strange listening to _ morning, anne? it is strange listening to that _ morning, anne? it is strange listening to that call- morning, anne? it is strange listening to that call because j listening to that call because i've been in that situation up until— i've been in that situation up until february this year when my husband died. i've been home caring _ my husband died. i've been home caring for— my husband died. i've been home caring for him and like that lady— caring for him and like that lady i'm _ caring for him and like that lady i'm on a reduced personal pension— lady i'm on a reduced personal pension of— lady i'm on a reduced personal pension of my own because i have — pension of my own because i have brought up children and i didn't— have brought up children and i didn't have enough credits. and we didn't— didn't have enough credits. and we didn't have carers because i did all— we didn't have carers because i did all the _ we didn't have carers because i did all the caring for him. since _ did all the caring for him. since his— did all the caring for him. since his death my income has halved — since his death my income has halved because he had a pension from _ halved because he had a pension from his— halved because he had a pension from his work and he had a full state _ from his work and he had a full state pension and we had my small— state pension and we had my small pension plus the attendance allowance. so in actual— attendance allowance. so in actual fact, attendance allowance. so in actualfact, my attendance allowance. so in actual fact, my income now is half— actual fact, my income now is half of— actual fact, my income now is half of what it was when he was alive _ half of what it was when he was alive and — half of what it was when he was alive. and my point is that i don't — alive. and my point is that i don't qualify for pension credits _ don't qualify for pension credits because i'm just one of

those — credits because i'm just one of those people thatjust miss out on it _ those people that 'ust miss out on it. , , , , those people that 'ust miss out on it. , ,, ., those people that 'ust miss out on it�* yeah. - those people that 'ust miss out on it.�* yeah. i i on it. just miss out? yeah. i think the — on it. just miss out? yeah. i think the lady _ on it. just miss out? yeah. i think the lady who _ on it. just miss out? yeah. i think the lady who made - on it. just miss out? yeah. i j think the lady who made the point — think the lady who made the point before, that's what i text — point before, that's what i text in— point before, that's what i text in about, i agree it shouldn't go to everybody. lots of people — shouldn't go to everybody. lots of people don't need it and donate _ of people don't need it and donate it to food banks and things— donate it to food banks and things like that, but i do think— things like that, but i do think the pension credit level should — think the pension credit level should be raised so that people who are — should be raised so that people who are on a low income come into— who are on a low income come into it — who are on a low income come into it and _ who are on a low income come into it and also you get your television licence and things like that— television licence and things like that whereas i have to pay all the — like that whereas i have to pay all the running of a house which _ all the running of a house which i _ all the running of a house which i had for both of us on half— which i had for both of us on half the _ which i had for both of us on half the money. that was my point — half the money. that was my point i— half the money. that was my point. i think the pension credit— point. i think the pension credit level should be raised and i— credit level should be raised and i think, really, how did they— and i think, really, how did they come to this decision so quick? — they come to this decision so quick? they knew they were going — quick? they knew they were going to _ quick? they knew they were going to do it before, didn't they? — going to do it before, didn't the ? going to do it before, didn't they?_ they i they? do you reckon? they wouldn't — they? do you reckon? they wouldn't have _ they? do you reckon? they wouldn't have suddenly - they? do you reckon? they wouldn't have suddenly sat| they? do you reckon? they - wouldn't have suddenly sat down in the _ wouldn't have suddenly sat down in the first— wouldn't have suddenly sat down in the first few weeks and say, i in the first few weeks and say, i know— in the first few weeks and say, i know what we will do, we will stop _ i know what we will do, we will stop the — i know what we will do, we will stop the pension credit. they must — stop the pension credit. they must have had that in their discussions beforehand. but

they— discussions beforehand. but they wouldn't have said it before _ they wouldn't have said it before the election. too toxic? that is deceitful. _ before the election. too toxic? that is deceitful. i _ before the election. too toxic? that is deceitful. i voted - before the election. too toxic? that is deceitful. i voted for i that is deceitful. i voted for labour— that is deceitful. i voted for labour and i support keir starmer, i think he will make a good _ starmer, i think he will make a good joh— starmer, i think he will make a good job of things. but ijust think— good job of things. but ijust think this is the wrong, terribly— think this is the wrong, terribly wrong way to start. why — terribly wrong way to start. why would you look for such a bil why would you look for such a big fight— why would you look for such a big fight right at the beginning? who is advising them? _ beginning? who is advising them? ., , beginning? who is advising them? ,, them? people say this is the time to do — them? people say this is the time to do stuff— them? people say this is the time to do stuff when - them? people say this is the time to do stuff when there l them? people say this is the l time to do stuff when there is the wind in your sails, time to make those difficult decisions, those hard choices. many think thatis those hard choices. many think that is the political reality of it, anne, you know? but i think it is — of it, anne, you know? but i think it is the _ of it, anne, you know? but i think it is the wrong - of it, anne, you know? but i think it is the wrong choice. | of it, anne, you know? but i| think it is the wrong choice. i just— think it is the wrong choice. i just think— think it is the wrong choice. i just think it's the wrong choice _ just think it's the wrong choice. why would you do that? i choice. why would you do that? i can— choice. why would you do that? i can totally understand, if they— i can totally understand, if they had _ i can totally understand, if they had turned around and said. — they had turned around and said. we _ they had turned around and said, we are going to look at winter— said, we are going to look at winter fuel allowance. we think there _ winter fuel allowance. we think there are — winter fuel allowance. we think there are so people that don't need — there are so people that don't need it — there are so people that don't need it. like the money expert fellow, — need it. like the money expert fellow, he _ need it. like the money expert fellow, he said when we got the extra _ fellow, he said when we got the

extra money it was like it went on the — extra money it was like it went on the council tax bands of your— on the council tax bands of your house, so i think if you are — your house, so i think if you are up— your house, so i think if you are up to _ your house, so i think if you are up to band c or a band your house, so i think if you are up to band c ora band d, then— are up to band c ora band d, thenyou— are up to band c ora band d, then you got the extra money but then you got the extra money hut if— then you got the extra money but if you _ then you got the extra money but if you got higher than that then— but if you got higher than that then you _ but if you got higher than that then you didn't end there was no outcry— then you didn't end there was no outcry about that, nobody complained, did they? because most— complained, did they? because most leaders low income people that live — most leaders low income people that live in lower band houses and flats _ that live in lower band houses and flats across the board. the last government did that, you know— last government did that, you know when they gave the extra £66 a — know when they gave the extra £66 a month? so there are other ways— £66 a month? so there are other ways of— £66 a month? so there are other ways of doing this, i think. i think— ways of doing this, i think. i think it _ ways of doing this, i think. i think it is _ ways of doing this, i think. i think it is a _ ways of doing this, i think. i think it is a real misstep. why set everybody's back up, even your— set everybody's back up, even your own _ set everybody's back up, even your own mp5? it set everybody's back up, even your own mps?_ set everybody's back up, even your own mps? it is interesting ou sa your own mps? it is interesting you say that — your own mps? it is interesting you say that this _ your own mps? it is interesting you say that this one _ your own mps? it is interesting you say that this one was - your own mps? it is interesting | you say that this one was under the sofa, they knew it was under the sofa and then one —— won the election. some people are saying what a surprise, look at the black hole. 0ther surprise, look at the black hole. other people are saying

it is dire, they have to find the pennies from under the sofa. thank you so much. kenneth in huddersfield, what you think about what you are hearing so far, kenneth? good morning- _ hearing so far, kenneth? good morning. good _ hearing so far, kenneth? good morning. good morning, - hearing so far, kenneth? good morning. good morning, sir. l morning. good morning, sir. very interesting _ morning. good morning, sir. very interesting debate - morning. good morning, sir. very interesting debate so i morning. good morning, sir. i very interesting debate so far. my very interesting debate so far. my point regarding this is, the labour government say they need to do this to grow the economy. how are they going to grow the economy when millions of pensioners are going to be £500 a year worse off? we are not going to be spending it in the local community. all our money is going to go on each of our homes. i think it is a misnomer and they are trying to mislead people. ijust can't believe that a labour government have done this will stop its just incredible. done this will stop it's 'ust incrediblei done this will stop it's 'ust incredible. how will you be affected. _ incredible. how will you be affected, kenneth? - incredible. how will you be affected, kenneth? i'm- incredible. how will you be i affected, kenneth? i'm going incredible. how will you be - affected, kenneth? i'm going to be affected- _ affected, kenneth? i'm going to be affected. i _ affected, kenneth? i'm going to be affected. i live _ affected, kenneth? i'm going to be affected. i live on _ affected, kenneth? i'm going to be affected. i live on my - affected, kenneth? i'm going to be affected. i live on my own, i be affected. i live on my own, sadly i lost my wife a couple of years ago but i live on my own. i'm going to put more jumpers on, i will not put the heating on because i'm terrified of high energy bills.

because the cost of energy is ever—increasing, it's going to go ever—increasing, it's going to 9° up ever—increasing, it's going to go up 10%. so that's what is going to happen. it is going to be a great inconvenience. people will die because some people will be terrified of putting the heating on at all. they will literally freeze to death. i voted they will literally freeze to death. ivoted labour they will literally freeze to death. i voted labour in every single general election since i first voted in 1970 and i'm ashamed of the fact that i voted labour on the lith ofjuly after they have done this. the very wealthy have not been touched so far.— very wealthy have not been touched so far. absolutely not. we have a _ touched so far. absolutely not. we have a budget _ touched so far. absolutely not. we have a budget in _ touched so far. absolutely not. we have a budget in october, | touched so far. absolutely not. i we have a budget in october, we don't know what will happen in the budget. don't know what will happen in the budget-— the budget. well, there is aoini the budget. well, there is going to — the budget. well, there is going to be _ the budget. well, there is going to be no _ the budget. well, there is going to be no favours - the budget. well, there is going to be no favours for| the budget. well, there is. going to be no favours for us, i tell you now, absolutely none. absolutely no favours whatsoever. i can tell. to me, they are far more right—wing

than any tory government i have ever known, that includes margaret thatcher's, so far anyway. they really have a lot of work to do to earn my vote ever again if i ever get the chance to vote again. kenneth, i can't chance to vote again. kenneth, i can't thank — chance to vote again. kenneth, i can't thank you _ chance to vote again. kenneth, i can't thank you enough - chance to vote again. kenneth, i can't thank you enough for - i can't thank you enough for making the effort to come on the programme this morning, it is so important to hear what you think about this, a real litmus test of opinion on this policy. the anger, as you are probably hearing and have gathered, of steam. good morning, andy, what is your opinion? morning, andy, what is your oinion? morning, andy, what is your opinion?— morning, andy, what is your oinion? ., . opinion? good morning, nicky. as ou opinion? good morning, nicky. as you may _ opinion? good morning, nicky. as you may remember, - opinion? good morning, nicky. as you may remember, i - opinion? good morning, nicky. as you may remember, i am i opinion? good morning, nicky. i as you may remember, i am more of a bigger picture person, but i wanted to start off with my own situation because i am a pensioner, and just above the limit, i'm being honest, i can live without the £200. but i am nowhere near well off, not even close to the average wage. that is just step one. i'm close to the average wage. that isjust step one. i'm going to lose that. step two, the tax

threshold has frozen, that is a real knock for me, and my state pension triple yacht is being... pension triple yacht is being- - -_ pension triple yacht is being. . . pension triple yacht is beini...~ , being... when you said triple acht, i being... when you said triple yacht. i lost _ being... when you said triple yacht, i lost sympathy - being... when you said triple yacht, i lost sympathy for - being... when you said triple yacht, i lost sympathy for a l yacht, i lost sympathy for a second! laughter it is parked just outside my mansion! should i go and get it for you? mansion! should i go and get it for ou? �* ., for you? i'm back with you, go on. i'm for you? i'm back with you, go on- m also — for you? i'm back with you, go on. i'm also a _ for you? i'm back with you, go on. i'm also a social— for you? i'm back with you, go on. i'm also a social housing l on. i'm also a social housing tenants and _ on. i'm also a social housing tenants and i _ on. i'm also a social housing tenants and i read _ on. i'm also a social housing tenants and i read on - on. i'm also a social housing tenants and i read on the . on. i'm also a social housing | tenants and i read on the bbc site that labour are considering raising social housing rents by more than inflation and they are also considering doing away with the 25% single person council tax allowance. and if i add all of those things together we're talking £1000 a year, not £1000, £1000 a year, which is absolutely horrendous. i worked for 48 years and i have not claimed 1p of benefit in that time, paid everything in, and now all of a sudden i'm being

told that, sorry, we are actually not going to give you what you were hoping to get when you retired and we're going to take £1000 a year back from you. i'm just thinking, excuse me. basically, pensioners have kept this country going for the last 50 odd years and now they are being told, thanks for that, but no thanks, and we're just going to take all this back. that's how i look at it. the whole bigger picture of this, those with the broadest shoulders should pay more but nobody talks about the other side of the coin, those who don't have the broad shoulders shouldn't take out as much and need to start taking a little bit more responsibility. maybe some of those _ bit more responsibility. maybe some of those shoulders - bit more responsibility. maybe some of those shoulders are i bit more responsibility. maybe i some of those shoulders are not quite as broad as some of those politicians think. thank you. let me move it. great contribution, if i may say so. martin in anglesey.— contribution, if i may say so. martin in anglesey. how are you doin: , martin in anglesey. how are you doing. nicky? — martin in anglesey. how are you doing. nicky? very _ martin in anglesey. how are you doing, nicky? very well. - martin in anglesey. how are you doing, nicky? very well. what i doing, nicky? very well. what ou think doing, nicky? very well. what you think about _ doing, nicky? very well. what you think about this _ doing, nicky? very well. what you think about this policy? i you think about this policy? keep the opinions coming, so important to hear what you

think. �* ., , . ., think. i'm not such a political -e of think. i'm not such a political type of person _ think. i'm not such a political type of person but _ think. i'm not such a political type of person but it - think. i'm not such a political type of person but itjust - type of person but itjust strikes me that we haven't got enough money in the pot in the country. clearly we need to claw some country —— some money back. there is a cash flow problem there. it strikes me that there is a lot of pensioners out there, there is a lot of rich pensioners out there. i was having a look at there. i was having a look at the times richest person list thing, and there are actually quite a lot of pensioners there who are some of the richest people in the country. i don't know if robert _ people in the country. i don't know if robert plant, - people in the country. i don't know if robert plant, paul. know if robert plant, paul mccartney and mickjagger are mccartney and mick jagger are necessarily mccartney and mickjagger are necessarily claiming this. i wouldn't imagine paul mccartney will be huddled around a candle trying to keep warm. but you know, the bottom line is, i guess people who need it, people with the most need should get it. and those who don't need it shouldn't get it, simple. means test it. i don't see the problem.—

simple. means test it. i don't see the problem. peter, means testin: , see the problem. peter, means testing. in _ see the problem. peter, means testing, in wellingborough? - testing, in wellingborough? hello, nicky. i'm a 69. i've had — hello, nicky. i'm a 69. i've had this— hello, nicky. i'm a 69. i've had this winter fuel allowance two years running and when i first— two years running and when i first received it, i said to my wife — first received it, i said to my wife, "whatever is the government doing paying me this money— government doing paying me this money without any knowledge of whether— money without any knowledge of whether i— money without any knowledge of whether i need it or not?" and for the — whether i need it or not?" and for the last— whether i need it or not?" and for the last two years i've gone _ for the last two years i've gone straight down the local supermarket and spent every penny— supermarket and spent every penny on— supermarket and spent every penny on food for the local food — penny on food for the local food bank. and ijust think, i agree — food bank. and ijust think, i agree with what the government have _ agree with what the government have done in taking away the winter— have done in taking away the winter fuel allowance because following on from the other caller. _ following on from the other caller, the previous caller, many— caller, the previous caller, many pensioners have no mortgage, they have no debt, they— mortgage, they have no debt, they have _ mortgage, they have no debt, they have money in the bank and they have money in the bank and they are — they have money in the bank and they are in — they have money in the bank and they are in receipt of a second pension — they are in receipt of a second pension. just go down any garden _ pension. just go down any garden centre in the week and see all— garden centre in the week and see all the pensioners lunching outi _ see all the pensioners lunching out, those pensioners should not receive the winter fuel allowance. the government pays out allowances for social need

and they've quite frankly don't need — and they've quite frankly don't need it. — and they've quite frankly don't need it, and i don't need it. i'm — need it, and i don't need it. i'm not— need it, and i don't need it. i'm not rich— need it, and i don't need it. i'm not rich but i don't need it. i'm not rich but i don't need it i— i'm not rich but i don't need it ithink— i'm not rich but i don't need it. i think the difficulty of the — it. i think the difficulty of the government has got itself into is— the government has got itself into is many pensioners at the lower— into is many pensioners at the lower end _ into is many pensioners at the lower end of the range who do need _ lower end of the range who do need it— lower end of the range who do need it and they are not in receipt _ need it and they are not in receipt of it.— receipt of it. the garden centre lunching - receipt of it. the garden centre lunching out - receipt of it. the garden - centre lunching out argument. they are packed, the garden centres _ they are packed, the garden centres are packed with pensioners who lunch out in the week _ pensioners who lunch out in the week and _ pensioners who lunch out in the week. and good luck to them. but don't _ week. and good luck to them. but don't tell me they need the winter— but don't tell me they need the winter fuel allowance.- winter fuel allowance. that's what ou winter fuel allowance. that's what you think, _ winter fuel allowance. that's what you think, martin, - winter fuel allowance. that's what you think, martin, isn'tl what you think, martin, isn't it? ., ., ~ _, what you think, martin, isn't it? ., ., ~ y what you think, martin, isn't it? ., ., y . it? yeah. thank you very much. no bother- _ it? yeah. thank you very much. no bother. it's— it? yeah. thank you very much. no bother. it's a _ it? yeah. thank you very much. no bother. it's a pleasure! - it? yeah. thank you very much. no bother. it's a pleasure! leti no bother. it's a pleasure! let me come _ no bother. it's a pleasure! let me come to — no bother. it's a pleasure! let me come to some _ no bother. it's a pleasure! let me come to some of- no bother. it's a pleasure! let me come to some of the - no bother. it's a pleasure! let| me come to some of the texts, and keep the thoughts coming in. i would say it's pretty evenly split on the texts. scientific as the text reaction may or may not be. i think they

are pretty balanced. as from this is appalling to this is appealing, this is the right thing to do. "i think the winterfuel idea is winter fuel idea is disgusting , " winterfuel idea is disgusting," says this text. "to only give it to people in pension credit is wrong, it doesn't encourage people to have a pension or save for old age_i. have a pension or save for old age." that's from nicola in beverley in east yorkshire. nicola, thank you. thank you, all, for putting the trouble for putting fingers to phone on this and pens to paper. "it's an absolute disgrace, frankly," says this one, "i'm sorry, but if robbing pensioners of warmth and robbing children of a private education is the best labour can do, i dread to think what will happen come the budget." that's from tom in galashiels. this one. "good morning, just to save from being a nurse in the nhs, which we all know is on its knees, to the government not know that stopping the winter fuel allowance will only increase

the winter pressures on hospital beds because people will become very ill, if not already"? that is from cheryl in blackpool. i'll give you one on the other side as well. because there is a variety. good morning, nicky. "while not a labour supporter or a fan of keir starmer, i do agree that the winter fuel payment should be means tested." let's go with jane in loughborough. hello, jane. good morning.- jane. good morning. good morning. _ jane. good morning. good morning, how _ jane. good morning. good morning, how are - jane. good morning. good morning, how are you? i jane. good morning. goodl morning, how are you? are jane. good morning. good - morning, how are you? are you all right? morning, how are you? are you all riiht? ., ., i. ., ., all right? how are you and what is aioin all right? how are you and what is going to _ all right? how are you and what is going to happen _ all right? how are you and what is going to happen when - all right? how are you and what is going to happen when it - all right? how are you and what is going to happen when it gets| is going to happen when it gets cold, jane? i is going to happen when it gets cold. jane?— cold, jane? i told the lady i soke cold, jane? i told the lady i spoke to — cold, jane? i told the lady i spoke to earlier _ cold, jane? i told the lady i spoke to earlier last - cold, jane? i told the lady i spoke to earlier last winter| cold, jane? i told the lady i | spoke to earlier last winter i was wrapped up in blankets sitting on the server afraid to put the heating on and that's when i had the fuel allowance. so it is going to be a bit of the same. i think i'm going to be going to bed at about six o'clock at night and watching telly in bed. i think that's what i'm going to be doing. i'm

not poverty stricken. i'm not. but my income is probablyjust above the threshold. i do have some money saved. i don't want to spend that, though, because that's there in case my car breaks down or my roof falls off. that's what i've got it for. i don't want it dwindled down to nothing so that i can't pay anything that needs paying for in an emergency. but i'm not rich. so i think, you know, i think the conservatives, the conservative voters are largely pensioners and that's why we are clobbered because they don't care about us.- are clobbered because they don't care about us. that is a bit of political _ don't care about us. that is a bit of political cynicism, - bit of political cynicism, don't you think?- bit of political cynicism, don't you think? well, who doesnt don't you think? well, who doesn't make _ don't you think? well, who doesn't make any - don't you think? well, who l doesn't make any difference don't you think? well, who - doesn't make any difference to our votes? let's club at the pensioners. he made a promise

he wouldn't scrap the winter fuel allowance when they were leading up to the election, so i think it is a little bit rich now what they have done. but i don't think the richest pensioners should get it. i don't. but i think the council tax banding idea is a good idea, a good way of measuring who should get it and he shouldn't.— who should get it and he shouldn't. ~ ., ., , ., ,, shouldn't. what do you think about the — shouldn't. what do you think about the argument, - shouldn't. what do you think about the argument, well, i shouldn't. what do you think i about the argument, well, the phrase articulated earlier, or the image that was portrayed... going to the garden centre? i willjust remind people if they have justjoined willjust remind people if they havejustjoined us, hold fire a second, one of our callers said, providing a colourful image, a vivid one, go to the garden centres and they are packed with pensioners having lunch. carry on, jane. i’iiii lunch. carry on, jane. i'll tell you _ lunch. carry on, jane. i'll tell you what, _ lunch. carry on, jane. i'll tell you what, to - lunch. carry on, jane. i�*ii. tell you what, to the alzheimer's society, they say that you should socialise as a

way of warding off alzheimer's and dementia, you shouldn't sit in your house all by yourself you should get out and socialise with other people. are we meant to sit in our houses and not go out for lunch with our friends because we should be putting that towards our heating and just be lonely? maybe they are not having quiche and salad, may be just a cup of tea? quiche and salad, may be 'ust a cup of mi cup of tea? i've got a friend who is older _ cup of tea? i've got a friend who is older than _ cup of tea? i've got a friend who is older than me, - cup of tea? i've got a friend who is older than me, i'm i cup of tea? i've got a friend i who is older than me, i'm 71, i keep myself very fit as well, i go jogging keep myself very fit as well, i gojogging in the mornings, it isn't very attractive to look at! but i go out and do a littlejog in the morning. i little jog in the morning. i take my hat off to you, amazing. take my hat off to you, amazing-— take my hat off to you, amazini. . , ., , amazing. that is the lovely late doctor _ amazing. that is the lovely late doctor michael - amazing. that is the lovely i late doctor michael mosley's advice, to get out early and do advice, to get out early and do a brisk walk or a jog so i do it. a brisk walk or a “0g so i do it. , ., a brisk walk or a “0g so i do it. , . ., a brisk walk or a jog so i do it. , ., ., just a brisk walk or a jog so i do it-_just a - a brisk walk or a jog so i do it._just a mile, | it. great man. just a mile, that's it. great man. just a mile, that's all- _ it. great man. just a mile, that's all. just? _

it. great man. just a mile, that's all. just? i'm - it. great man. just a mile, that's all. just? i'm trying | it. great man. just a mile, i that's all. just? i'm trying to keep myself— that's all. just? i'm trying to keep myself fit _ that's all. just? i'm trying to keep myself fit so _ that's all. just? i'm trying to keep myself fit so i - that's all. just? i'm trying to keep myself fit so i save - that's all. just? i'm trying to keep myself fit so i save the j keep myself fit so i save the health service money because i'm hopefully not going to need their help in the near future. but i have a friend who is 80 who i meet and she likes to go to the garden centre for lunch and i go there to meet her because that's where she likes to go. i because that's where she likes to no. ., �* , because that's where she likes to no. ., v ., because that's where she likes to no. ., �* , ., , to go. i think it's a very important _ to go. i think it's a very important point - to go. i think it's a very important point and - to go. i think it's a very| important point and you to go. i think it's a very - important point and you have account of the garden centre point very well because it's about people meeting with each other. thank you very much indeed. so impressed with the running. ross in telford. good morning, ross. should keir starmer u—turn on this? i morning, ross. should keir starmer u-turn on this? i don't have a problem _ starmer u-turn on this? i don't have a problem with _ starmer u-turn on this? i don't have a problem with people - have a problem with people means testing any benefit, really. i don't want to make this into a generational thing because at the end of the day i think we should tax multimillionaires and billionaires and then we wouldn't have this problem. the fact of the matter is the generation that now receives pension, they may argue this point, but they had it easy, they have a cheap fuel and

cheap housing, lots of housing was bought at discounted rates because of right to buy and things and they had a good run when my generation at people who may be under li0 did not command a lot of these people are sitting in big houses that are sitting in big houses that are worth a lot of money and maybe they complain that they can't heat them. yes, i understand that that house is not cash but that house can be sold, it can be borrowed against. i know people from the pub, distant family members and staff, they live in big houses on their own and these houses are worth small fortunes and they plead poverty whenever they plead poverty whenever they see the headlines on the pensions and fuel payments, but going back to the garden centre staff, they will go out of the garden centre, so more power to them, they have earned that money, go and enjoy it. but by the same token when my generation complain we can't get on the housing ladder we are told to stop buying avocado on toast. if you can't afford to heat your house, maybe don't buy the ornate duck from the

garden centre. the whole tax system is flawed but i don't have a problem means testing any benefit because it makes sense. ., , ., , any benefit because it makes sense. . , ., , ., sense. there was a bit of political _ sense. there was a bit of political cynicism - sense. there was a bit of political cynicism early i sense. there was a bit of| political cynicism early on that they don't give an ornate duck about pensioners because they are not their core voters. i've heard it said and i've read it as well. we have rosie in surrey. we are going to carry on this for the next hour on bbc radio 5 live. it is busy, it is significant, it is important and highly relevant to so many of you. good morning, rosie.- to so many of you. good morning, rosie. hi, how are ou? morning, rosie. hi, how are you? what— morning, rosie. hi, how are you? what you _ morning, rosie. hi, how are you? what you think- morning, rosie. hi, how are you? what you think about i morning, rosie. hi, how are - you? what you think about this? i think is you? what you think about this? i think is be _ you? what you think about this? i think is be means _ you? what you think about this? i think is be means tested. - you? what you think about this? i think is be means tested. i'm i i think is be means tested. i'm a mother and i work in the public sector —— it should be means tested. the cost of childcare is astronomical, my mortgage is going up £450 a month, we get no help, we are above the threshold, i haven't had a pay rise in ten years, i work long hours and it causes

me to have tears because it is so frustrating because the baby boomer generation with their big houses, and good pensions. i'm not going to get the pension that my mum, for example, has i will not get the pension my grandma has and we are really struggling financially. protect the most vulnerable and guess. i don't expect to have more money. i own more than people on benefits you get that help, i wouldn't begrudge people having help at all, they deserve it, they need it to survive, but i do begrudge people in big houses who have assets, who have had the best everything and pleading poverty in their

big giant £700,000 houses, it really upsets me.— really upsets me. they would sa the really upsets me. they would say they have _ really upsets me. they would say they have paid _ really upsets me. they would say they have paid in, - really upsets me. they would j say they have paid in, they've paid in, they done their dues, they have left the right way, they have left the right way, they have left the right way, they have lived a decent life and helped others. and they have contributed to society. and what about your grandma? rosie has gone. and it was such a trenchant question. what is the time?— a trenchant question. what is the time? ~ . ., ., the time? we are running out of it. sta the time? we are running out of it- stay there. — the time? we are running out of it. stay there, mike. _ the time? we are running out of it. stay there, mike. are - the time? we are running out of it. stay there, mike. are you - it. stay there, mike. are you there? let me check in with you. i there? let me check in with ou. ., there? let me check in with you-_ 0k. - there? let me check in with. you._ 0k, michael, there? let me check in with - you._ 0k, michael, we you. i am here. 0k, michael, we are coming _ you. i am here. 0k, michael, we are coming to — you. i am here. 0k, michael, we are coming to you _ you. i am here. 0k, michael, we are coming to you after- you. i am here. 0k, michael, we are coming to you after the - are coming to you after the news because i know you have a brilliant point to make. so many. he says bashing the microphone. so many brilliant points this morning. i knew it would be a great gallop around as we gather winter fuel payment opinions. bbc news and

bbc two viewers, thank you for watching. a special report from inside afghanistan, where malnutrition grips the country. the healthcare grips the country. the healthca re system grips the country. the healthcare system is on its

knees. we are at one hospital by 700 children have died in six months. you can hear the statistics, but this is what it looks like on the frontline. a baby dies, a couple of hours later, another sick baby, brought in. two of the uk's major trade unions are calling on the government to scrap plans to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. an exclusive report from the strategically important city of pokrovsk where ukrainian troops try to hold russia back. the pope is in timor—leste a for his first papal visit to the predominately catholic country since independence. —— for the first papal visit. hello, first pa pal visit. hello, thanks first papal visit. hello, thanks for being with us. we are going to go to that report on afghanistan, but first of all, let me take you to

demolish to, used to be known as east timor.