Sir Keir Starmer confirms U-turn over unpopular winter fuel policy

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will "look" at the unpopular winter fuel policy to make more pensioners eligible for the payments.

The prime minister was asked by one of his own MPs what he was doing to protect the savings of older people who were struggling with the rising cost of living. Speaking during prime minister's questions, Sir Keir confirmed he would reassess the policy, which has caused anger among Labour MPs and has been blamed for the party's poor showing at this month's local elections.

Politics latest: Badenoch says Rayner is 'on manoeuvres' He told MPs: "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.

"And that is why we want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payment." He added: "As you would expect, Mr Speaker, we would only make decisions we can afford. That is why we will look at that as part of our fiscal event." While it appears a full reversal will not be implemented, the Treasury could raise the threshold at which pensioners can qualify for winter payments, which is currently £11,500.

According to Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby, the decision was made alongside the chancellor and the "fiscal event" referred to by the prime minister is most likely the budget in the autumn - and not next month's spending review. The move was welcomed by Labour MP Jonathan Brash, a member of the Red Wall group that spoke out against winter fuel in the aftermath of the local elections.

He told Sky News: "When the original decision was taken I said publicly that means testing was right, but the threshold was too low. "I met with ministers at the time who confirmed that they would look at the threshold.

This is what must now happen. No one seriously believes that rich people should be getting state handouts, but the threshold must increase to ensure that every pensioner who needs the allowance receives it." Means-testing the winter fuel payments, worth up to £300, was one of the first policies brought in by the Labour government.

Overall, the number of pensioners eligible for the payment was slashed from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, both defended the policy, arguing it would save £1.5bn each year and "put our finances back in order after the last government lost control".

However, in the aftermath of the May local elections - which saw Labour lose 189 council seats - more high-profile party figures began speaking out against the policy. Sir Keir's announcement speaks to growing disquiet among some Labour MPs at the direction of the party.

Backbenchers have signalled they are also prepared to vote against a raft of benefits changes planned by the government that is expected to shave nearly £5bn from the welfare bill. More than 100 Labour MPs are understood to have signed a letter to the party's chief whip, seen by Sky News, in which they expressed concern that tightening the eligibility criteria for personal independence payments (PIP) and freezing and reducing the health component of Universal Credit were "significantly high risk".

They said they came to the conclusion the changes "should not go forward" without an extended consultation into the PIP proposals and that a separate analysis should be undertaken into the government's plans to get more people into work. Read more:Why Labour's strategy to tackle Reform UK could end up backfiringWho PM was really trying to echo with 'island of strangers' speech "Whilst these activities are undertaken, the bill should be delayed such that it may reflect the findings," it said.

"We regret that we are unable to support a bill before this has taken place." Separately, dozens of MPs signed a letter immediately after the local elections in which they said the welfare reforms were "impossible to support" without a "change in direction". Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Sir Keir's change in approach was "extraordinary" and branded him "desperate".

"He promised to protect pensioners, but his winter fuel cut has driven thousands into hardship. His MPs hate this.

He can't see them, but they all look sick just hearing what it is he's going to do. They're laughing." The Liberal Democrats welcomed Sir Keir's announcement - leader Sir Ed Davey said it amounted to "the world's longest U-turn".

"The least those people deserve is an apology for this punitive policy and a serious proposal from the prime minister on how he will begin to pick up the pieces from his government's disastrous decision," he said..