Keir Starmer has suggested he is looking at U-turning on his decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on this Breaking Politics News story.
Keir Starmer has said he wants more pensioners to get winter fuel payments in a huge U-turn from his previous position.
The Prime Minister said he wants “to ensure as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments”. He has been under mounting pressure to roll back on the controversial decision to means-test winter fuel payments.
It is said that the Government is considering a re-think of the £11,500 cut-off for the allowance, meaning more The PM said he will look at the decision “as part of a fiscal event”, which could indicate a change in the policy next month after the Spending Review.
During PMQs, Mr Starmer told MPs: “We all know the economy was left in absolute mess by the Tories.“We had to stabilise the economy with tough decisions but the right decisions. Because of those decisions it is beginning to improve.”
He added: “I recognise people are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis including pensioners, and as the economy improves we want to make sure people feel those improvements as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.
“As you would expect we will only make sure we make decisions we can afford. That is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.”
Tensions have been rising in Labour ranks after Reform made sweeping gains in the English local elections earlier this month, when the party also won a by-election in the Labour stronghold of Runcorn and Helsby by six votes.
Downing Street ruled out a U-turn on winter fuel cuts just a couple of weeks ago. It came after the Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted anger over the cuts hurt Labour in the local elections with voters raising the issue on the doorstep.
The Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan used a speech at the start of this month to call on Mr Starmer to reconsider the means-testing of winter fuel payments. She has urged the Government to rethink as people are “very frustrated” by the policy.
Asked about possible changes to the £11,500 threshold so more pensioners would be eligible, the PM’s spokesman said: “We set out the policy and there is no change. There is no change to that policy. As I say it was a difficult decision to means-test winter fuel payments but it was one we had to do to restore economic stability and repair public finances.”
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