Keir Starmer says he wants to make more pensioners eligible for the winter fuel payment this year – and did not rule out an announcement next week
Keir Starmer has hinted that new rules on winter fuel payments could come as soon as next week.
The PM admitted clarity is needed as soon as possible after saying he wants to look again at eligibility thresholds. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil a spending review on June 11, which may include an update on the controversial policy.
Mr Starmer has bowed to pressure after 10 million pensioners lost out when the payments of up to £300 became means-tested. Last month he said the Government is looking at expanding the number of people who qualify.
The Prime Minister said: “I do need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from but I take your point which is that if we want to look again at what pensioners are eligible then the sooner we have clarity on that the better.” Asked if next week’s spending review would include an update on winter fuel, he said: “There’s lots of moving parts in the spending review as you appreciate.”
But he maintained that means testing the payments was the right thing to do. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I want to look again at where the threshold is. That’s for sure. I’ll be clear with you.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer to give major defence speech TODAY and warns world is in ‘new era’
“In relation to that, I do think it was our duty to stabilise the economy and to fill in that £22 billion black hole. And I’m not going to resile from that.”
He added that ministers “need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from”.
Mr Starmer previously told the Commons he wants to make sure “more pensioners are eligible”. The Prime Minister said at the time that further details would be announced at the Budget in the autumn.
No10 has indicated that a full U-turn on the cut is unlikely. But officials are reportedly examining the option of restoring the allowance to all but the wealthiest pensioners.
Labour has argued the unpopular decision – announced just weeks after the party’s election victory last year – was necessary to fix the Tory mess they inherited. But in recent weeks Labour MPs have blamed the policy for the party’s bruising results at the local elections earlier this month and defeat to Reform UK at a key by-election.