BBC star Nick Hewer sparked fury amongst fans as he defended Labour's decision to cut winter fuel payments. The former presenter, 80, appeared on Jeremy Vine on Tuesday (September 24) where he debated plans to cut the benefit for pensioners ahead of the winter months, which will see around 10 million pensioners in England and Wales lose between £100 and £300 a year. Rachel Reeves and other members of the Labour Party said the decision was made because there is a "£22 billion black hole" left by the previous government which needs to be filled.
Speaking to Hewer directly, a caller from East Yorkshire probed why Keir Starmer and Ms Reeves made this decision, claiming they were aware of the £22 billion hole, having had access to the books "for months". The caller said: "How could they not see this supposed black hole of £22 billion? Either they are incompetent and can't read the books or they're lying. And I would like Nick to tell me which he thinks it is.
" Hewer responded by saying he believes Labour are telling the truth, adding: "There was a little bit of smudging around before the election and it has been revealed now that the inheritance that Labour has got is a black hole of £22 billion." Vine questioned whether Labour were lying, leading Hewer to reiterate: "I truly believe that it was not until Labour was actually in power that they discovered there was a black hole of £22 billion." The Apprentice star went on to describe how people see pensioners as "a little ol.