FARAGE WARNS OF 'SHOCKS' TO COME IN LABOUR BUDGET

NIGEL Farage has warned of more "shocks" to come in Labour's first Budget amid a huge backlash over the axing of winter fuel payments.

- Katie Harris

The Reform UK leader hit out at Sir Keir Starmer's Government for "making economic decisions on the basis of who will vote for them at the next election" after bumper pay offers to striking workers.

Backing the Daily Express campaign to save the payments, Mr Farage urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap the controversial policy which is set to hit 10 million pensioners. He insisted: "This Government is making economic decisions on the basis of who will vote for them at the next election." Writing in the Daily Express, he added: "It is a deeply cynical policy that is playing out before us as public sector workers receive huge pay rises whilst 10 million pensioners will have the winter fuel payment removed.

"I am happy to join the Express campaign to urge the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to reconsider her raid on pensioners." The arch-Brexiteer, who made a sensational return to frontline politics in June, raised fears about what other measures Ms Reeves will unveil in her Budget on October 30 where she is widely expected to increase taxes.

Mr Farage asked: "Whilst we fight the Chancellor on this important issue I wonder what other shocks will come in the Budget at the end of October?" He said: "As a result of the net zero policies of both main parties, we already have very expensive energy. We pay far more for electricity than our continental neighbours and have not benefited from our own gas reserves as the Americans have done.