Political reporter Becky Morton writes that Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism for the decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. This move has sparked calls for a policy reversal, with around 45 Labour MPs representing seats in northern England and the Midlands also urging the government to reconsider. The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, challenged Sir Keir during Prime Minister’s Questions to heed the calls from his own party and change direction. The recent local elections in England saw Labour lose two-thirds of the council seats it was defending, with some attributing this poor performance to the winter fuel payment cuts.
In a surprising turn of events, Reform UK managed to defeat Labour in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, winning by just six votes after overturning a nearly 15,000-vote majority. This outcome has escalated calls for a reevaluation of the winter fuel cuts, with prominent Labour figures, including Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, joining the chorus. Despite mounting pressure, the government has firmly stated that there will be no changes to the policy introduced last year. During a heated discussion in the House of Commons, Badenoch questioned the PM’s decision to remove winter fuel payments, prompting Sir Keir to defend the move as a necessary step to address the economic challenges left by the previous government.
The winter fuel payment, previously available to all pensioners, is now limited to only the poorest individuals eligible for pension credit and other income-related benefits, resulting in savings of £1.4bn. With around nine million pensioners no longer qualifying for this support, critics within Labour view a policy reversal as a crucial signal that the prime minister is attuned to the electorate’s concerns. However, some close to government circles argue against changing course, questioning the potential political gains at this juncture. Additionally, looming changes to disability benefits, particularly around Personal Independence Payment (Pip) eligibility, could soon take center stage, with a parliamentary vote expected in the near future. While the government is unlikely to face defeat in this vote due to its majority, it may become a focal point for broader discontent
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