Sir U-Turn strikes again! Starmer says more pensioners WILL be eligible for winter fuel allowance as he struggles to contain Labour revolt
Keir Starmer dramatically announced a climdown on winter fuel allowance today as he struggles to revive Labour‘s fortunes.
Taking PMQs, Sir Keir defended the decision to strip nine million older people of the payments soon after taking power.
But he said ‘as the economy improves’ the government will look at the threshold for receiving the cash – worth up to £300.
He suggested the detail will only be announced at ‘a future fiscal event’ – with the next one the Budget in the Autumn.
Only those on pension credit are still entitled to winter fuel, with the measure partly blamed for the disastrous crash in the government’s popularity.
A poll today showed Reform eight points ahead of Labour in the wake of their local elections surge.
Taking PMQs, Keir Starmer defended the decision to strip nine million older people of the payments soon after taking power
Sir Keir has been facing the threat of a revolt over that policy, as well as curbs to working age benefits.
There has been growing speculation that the leadership is looking for a way out, potentially by scaling back the cuts.
But it is thought there are practical difficulties with lowering the threshold for receiving winter fuel allowance, with IT systems struggling to differentiate between income levels.
The premier had been teed up for his change in position by a question from Labour MP Sarah Owen.
‘Whilst the economy is showing signs of improving, many pensioners are still impacted by the cost-of-living crisis,’ she asked.
‘People in Luton who have worked hard all their lives seeing their precious savings slip away, so can the Prime Minister tell us what measures he will take to help struggling pensions in towns like mine?’
Sir Keir replied: ‘I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis including pensioners. As the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.
‘As you would expect Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford, that is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.’
Rachel Reeves has been dropping heavy hints about movement on winter fuel
Rachel Reeves has been dropping heavy hints about movement on winter fuel.
Speaking on the BBC’s Newscast earlier this week, the Chancellor said she would ‘continue to listen to understand the concerns that people have raised’.
‘I do understand the concerns that people have,’ she said.
She added: ‘We are a government that listens.
‘But we would always need to show where the money is going to come from if we’re going to make any policy changes. That would be part of the normal process.’
=========
Keir Starmer dramatically announced a climdown on winter fuel allowance today as he struggles to revive Labour‘s fortunes.
Taking PMQs, Sir Keir defended the decision to strip nine million older people of the payments soon after taking power.
But he said ‘as the economy improves’ the government will look at the threshold for receiving the cash – worth up to £300.
He suggested the detail will only be announced at ‘a future fiscal event’ – with the next one the Budget in the Autumn.
Only those on pension credit are still entitled to winter fuel, with the measure partly blamed for the disastrous crash in the government’s popularity.
A poll today showed Reform eight points ahead of Labour in the wake of their local elections surge.
Taking PMQs, Keir Starmer defended the decision to strip nine million older people of the payments soon after taking power
Sir Keir has been facing the threat of a revolt over that policy, as well as curbs to working age benefits.
There has been growing speculation that the leadership is looking for a way out, potentially by scaling back the cuts.
But it is thought there are practical difficulties with lowering the threshold for receiving winter fuel allowance, with IT systems struggling to differentiate between income levels.
The premier had been teed up for his change in position by a question from Labour MP Sarah Owen.
‘Whilst the economy is showing signs of improving, many pensioners are still impacted by the cost-of-living crisis,’ she asked.
‘People in Luton who have worked hard all their lives seeing their precious savings slip away, so can the Prime Minister tell us what measures he will take to help struggling pensions in towns like mine?’
Sir Keir replied: ‘I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis including pensioners. As the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.
‘As you would expect Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford, that is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.’
Rachel Reeves has been dropping heavy hints about movement on winter fuel
Rachel Reeves has been dropping heavy hints about movement on winter fuel.
Speaking on the BBC’s Newscast earlier this week, the Chancellor said she would ‘continue to listen to understand the concerns that people have raised’.
‘I do understand the concerns that people have,’ she said.
She added: ‘We are a government that listens.
‘But we would always need to show where the money is going to come from if we’re going to make any policy changes. That would be part of the normal process.’
