26 May 2025 - Starmer announces U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts
Labour’s botched winter fuel U-turn raises questions over its purpose in power
Heather Stewart (The Guardian, 25/05/2025)
The lady is, it seems, for turning: one of Rachel Reeves’s first decisions as chancellor was to strip winter fuel allowance from the vast majority of pensioners. Keir Starmer now says more of them should be eligible. Pressure to shift had become intense after local elections where Labour councillors swept out of power by Reform repeatedly cited voter concern over winter fuel. But last week’s botched half U-turn leaves Labour in an embarrassing political mess – and raises fresh questions about its purpose in power.
UK considers taxing pensioners to claw back winter fuel payment
George Parker and Emma Agyemang (Financial Times, 24/05/2025)
The contentious winter fuel payment could be restored to all pensioners under plans being considered by Downing Street, with the sum being recouped from higher income pensioners through their tax returns. Government officials confirmed the idea is being looked at after Sir Keir Starmer this week announced a U-turn on last year’s decision to scrap the benefit for all pensioners, limiting it to those already in receipt of pension credit.
Starmer announces U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts
Paul Seddon (BBC News, 21/05/2025)
Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to winter fuel payments, in a U-turn following mounting political pressure in recent weeks. More than 10 million pensioners lost out on the payments, worth up to £300, when the pension top-up became means-tested last year. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said ministers would change the threshold to allow "more pensioners" to qualify again.
PM may give details of winter fuel U-turn next month, Angela Rayner suggests
Jessica Elgot (The Guardian, 25/05/2025)
Keir Starmer could set out more details of the winter fuel allowance U-turn at the spending review next month, Angela Rayner has suggested. However, the deputy prime minister said she could not guarantee the payment would be restored in time for this winter, amid reports that the Treasury is looking at restoring the allowance to all but the richest pensioners.
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