Displaying items by tag: Uturn

Rachel Reeves has announced that more pensioners will qualify for winter fuel payments this year, following the backlash over Labour’s 2024 decision to cut the benefit for most retirees. While she confirmed the means-test threshold will rise, she did not specify by how much, and at Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer also failed to clarify how many of the ten million affected pensioners will regain eligibility. Labour’s original decision to means-test the payment reduced eligibility from 11.4 million to just 1.5 million, limiting it to pensioners receiving benefits like Pension Credit. The move, intended to save £1.5 billion annually, was part of an effort to address what Labour calls a £22 billion fiscal gap left by the previous government. Critics, including Kemi Badenoch, accused Labour of lacking preparation and transparency. Reeves insisted the government remains committed to easing winter costs for vulnerable seniors but acknowledged that specifics are still being finalised.