Keir Starmer Dodges Questions on Potential Reversal of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts

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Keir Starmer Dodges Questions on Potential Reversal of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts

 

Sir Keir Starmer has declined to dismiss suggestions that the government may soften its stance on the highly controversial cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners, despite earlier assurances that the policy would not change. The Labour leader's evasiveness marks a notable shift from two weeks ago, when Downing Street unequivocally stated there would be no alterations to the plan.

 

This comes amid growing pressure within Labour ranks following a poor showing in local elections, with party insiders increasingly linking the cuts to voter dissatisfaction. No. 10 is now reportedly considering adjustments to the policy, including the possibility of raising the £11,500 income threshold which currently disqualifies pensioners from receiving the payment—or even scrapping the policy altogether.

 

When asked to respond to these reports, first published by the i newspaper, Starmer avoided confirming or denying the possibility of a change. “I have not seen any reports today,” he said. “We took difficult decisions, but the right decisions at the budget, including the decision that we took on winter fuel.”

 

Defending the original move, Starmer said the decision was necessary to stabilise the economy, and insisted it was already yielding results. “We are now seeing the benefits of that in the interest rate cuts and the [recent] growth figures. They were difficult decisions but the right decisions,” he added.

 

Starmer’s refusal to directly address the potential U-turn contrasts sharply with the government’s previous firmness. Just two weeks ago, following similar reports in The Guardian, Downing Street issued a clear denial: “The policy is set out. There will not be a change to the government’s policy.”

 

But the political climate has since shifted. Discontent within Labour has been growing, with some MPs blaming the winter fuel payment cuts for the party’s weak performance in the local elections. There is also the looming threat of a significant parliamentary rebellion, with over 100 MPs reportedly preparing to withhold support for the government’s £5 billion welfare reform package set to be debated later this summer.

 

The winter fuel payment cut, which was not mentioned in Labour’s election manifesto, was introduced last year shortly after the party took power. The change, driven by Chancellor Rachel Reeves within her first three weeks in office, resulted in around nine million pensioners losing access to the annual allowance worth between £100 and £300.

 

Labour has defended the policy as a necessary measure to address a large fiscal deficit. The party claims that overspending by the previous Conservative government created a £22 billion black hole in public finances, which the winter fuel cut was partially intended to offset.

 

As internal dissent mounts and the party faces growing criticism, Starmer’s reluctance to confirm the government’s position suggests the policy may yet be revised. Whether that means a softening of the terms or a complete reversal remains uncertain, but the pressure on the Prime Minister to act decisively is undoubtedly increasing.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-05-18