The UK government has firmly rejected calls to reverse cuts to winter fuel payments, despite mounting pressure from within Labour’s own ranks. After disappointing results in England’s local elections, many Labour MPs and party members have urged the government to rethink its approach. However, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told reporters that “there will not be a change to the government’s policy.”
Government officials have defended last year’s decision to restrict eligibility for the winter fuel payment, stating it was necessary “to ensure economic stability and repair the public finances.” Recent reports suggested ministers were informally exploring options to reduce the impact of the cuts later this year, but Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed this week that no formal review is underway. Streeting acknowledged voter dissatisfaction, noting that many people “aren’t happy” about the cuts and that ministers are “reflecting on what the voters told us” after Labour lost nearly two-thirds of its defended council seats.
Labour Welsh First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan has called on the government to reconsider the policy, highlighting that concerns over winter fuel payments “come up time and again” with voters. Currently, pensioners under the age of 80 receive £200 annually, while those over 80 receive £300, usually paid in November or December. Last year’s policy change limited eligibility to pensioners receiving pension credit or other income-related benefits. While this move was designed to save £1.4 billion, it has left about nine million pensioners without the payment.
Although the winter fuel cuts were not part of Labour’s general election manifesto, the issue has become a central point of political tension. Many analysts believe that public anger over the policy contributed to Labour’s poor performance in the local elections, where the party lost 187 council seats and control of its only council. While ministers insist the cuts are critical to maintaining economic stability, the political fallout is ongoing, and the government continues to face criticism from both inside and outside its party ranks.
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