Labour has been accused of favouring train drivers over pensioners, as tens of thousands more rail workers are set to get above-inflation pay rises.
The Government's pay offer, which is to be voted on by the Aslef union, would include a backdated five per cent increase for 2019 to 2022, 4.75 per cent for 2022 to 2024 and a further 4.5 per cent for 2024 to 2025, is a "good deal for the taxpayer" because it would end strikes, a Treasury minister said this week.
However, some have questioned whether the pay offer was fair, given the Chancellor's decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment.
It means millions of pensioners will no longer be eligible for extra support this winter, which would have been worth up to £300.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK told GB News: "In the last couple of weeks, we've been taken aback by just how many older people have taken the trouble to contact us at Age UK to express their dismay and disgust at the Government's announcement about means-testing Winter Fuel Payment.
"More recently, some of these members of the public have also unfavourably contrasted this decision with the steps the Government is taking to settle long-standing industrial disputes, and Ministers' apparent willingness to use some public money for this purpose but not for Winter Fuel Payment.
"Our view at Age UK is that means-testing Winter Fuel Payment is a mistake because some two million older people who badly need this money to help them stay warm and well will lose it, causing them distress and putting their health at risk at a time when the NHS already has more than enough to do.
"This is why we have called on Ministers to think again."
In the exclusive poll for GB News membership readers, an overwhelming majority (97 per cent) of the 707 voters thought it was a terrible decision to give train drivers a pay rise, while just two per cent thought the pay rise would end the strikes. One per cent said they did not know.
SNAP POLL: Is Starmer right to give train drivers a pay rise while cutting Winter Fuel Payment for millions of pensioners? YOUR VERDICT
GB News
"The Government seems to think that offering these generous pay offers to train drivers, to junior doctors, to public sector workers in general, is going to completely resolve the issue of industrialisation - there won't be any more strikes," Emily Carver said today.
Fellow GB News presenter Darren Grimes added: "The old adage, 'Give them an inch, they'll take a mile' has never been more relevant right now.
"I just got off a train this morning, and they're saying now on a Saturday and Sunday they're going to be off on strike again over an issue unrelated to pay - over workers' rights and all these other issues.
"I'm sorry, but there's just going to be a never-ending list of demands because once you cave in, they realise you can get more, and they do it again and again.
"There are people in this country struggling a hell of a lot more than train drivers on £60,000, soon to be nearly £70,000. It isn't a bad pay packet, is it?"
Emily added: "With the Winter Fuel Allowance being taken away from millions of pensioners, have the Government got their priorities right?
"A lot of you will think, you know what, junior doctors and nurses should be paid more. But train drivers seem to be the most militant unions, and they seem to always get their own way. Is it right that the Government have caved in?"
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Emily went on to ask whether the Government will find the money to pay for the pay rises.
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Today, Aslef announced that LNER drivers will strike every weekend for the next three months, claiming a breakdown in industrial relations and breaking of agreements.
Hundreds of members of Aslef will walk out every Saturday between August 31 and November 9 and every Sunday from September 1 to November 10, a total of 22 days.
