Rayner 'hoping' for winter fuel update within weeks - and says she 'never' wants to be Labour leader

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has told Sky News she "hopes" there will be an update on the winter fuel U-turn within weeks.

Ms Rayner also used her interview on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips to say she "never" wants to lead her party. Some had suggested recent leaks of her plans for when taxes should change were her testing the waters to run a challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.

Politics latest: Badenoch on two-child cap Earlier this week, the prime minister confirmed his party was looking to make changes to its controversial slashing of winter fuel payments to pensioners at an upcoming "fiscal event". Little clarity was provided on when this would be - the budget in the autumn thought the most likely.

Ms Rayner has now suggested the 11 June spending review in just over a fortnight is her preferred date. She told Sky News: "I think that we've got the upcoming spending review, and I'm sure that the chancellor will set it out when we've got the opportunity - at the first opportunity Trevor she will set out what we'll be able to do." Asked if changes might be announced at the review, Ms Rayner said: "I hope so, but I don't know.

But I hope so. "I mean, the prime minister's announced it, so logically to me that indicates that the prime minister wants to do something in this area.

"And if the prime minister wants to do that, I'm sure the chancellor is going to look at how we can achieve that." Read more:Starmer confirms U-turn on winter fuelDecision needs 'strong enough' economyAnalysis: It could have profound consequences Never wants to be leader Some might suggest Ms Rayner's stance was a bid to push Downing Street into an announcement faster than it previously wanted. It would add to rumours the deputy prime minister is unhappy with the way Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves are running the government.

However, when asked by Trevor Phillips if she wanted to lead her party, Ms Rayner was unequivocal. "No.

I'm very happy and honoured to be deputy prime minister of this country," she said. "And I've got a lot in my in-tray to prove that I can do the job that I'm doing and deliver on the milestones for the people in this country." She continued: "I have no desire to go for the leadership of the Labour Party." ???? Listen to Electoral Dysfunction on your podcast app ???? Asked to say the word "never.