Starmer announces winter fuel payment u-turn and hands 'more pensioners' £300

HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE DECISIONS AT THE NEXT FISCAL EVENT. 12:25, 21 May 2025 Sir Keir Starmer says he wants 'more pensioners' to get the £300 winter fuel payments in a

major U-turn. The Labour Party government spoke out in the Commons, discussing the eligibility and criteria for the £300 allowance. Sarah Owen, from the Labour Party, asked what the

government will do to help struggling pensions. Starmer says the economy is improving. As it improves, the government wants to make sure people, including pensioners, feel that difference.

That is why the government wants to ensure “more pensioners” are eligible for winter fuel payments, he said, in a major u-turn. He says the government will take decisions at the next fiscal

event. READ MORE NEW UK PRIMARY SCHOOL DINNER RULES WITH SOME STAPLES BEING 'BANNED' He said: “I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis

including pensioners and as the economy improves we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward and that is why we want to ensure that as we go

forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments. “As you would expect we will only make decisions we will afford. That is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.”

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrats leader, said Starmer “teased the house” with his comments about the winter fuel payments. Starmer repeated the point about wanting to ensure that “more

pensioners” are eligible. It came as Kemi Badenoch grilledthe PM on the rise in inflation, announced this morning. Inflation rose to 3.6% in April, according to the ONS, much higher than the

government's target of 2% and 0.9% rise compared to where it was in March. Article continues below "We've also learned that the deputy prime minister is on manoeuvres",

she said. "He's lost control of the economy. He's lost control of his cabinet", she added. The Conservative Party leader added: "She's sitting there staring at

me. She knew exactly what she was doing when she briefed that into the papers. "She is demanding eight new tax rises - as if we haven't suffered enough. People out there are

struggling, businesses are struggling. People are losing their jobs."