Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said ministers do not regret the decision to means-test the winter fuel payment, even as they are planning steps to partially reverse the move. The Prime Minister told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I want to look again at where the threshold is. That’s for sure. I’ll be clear with you.
“In relation to that, I do think it was our duty to stabilise the economy and to fill in that £22 billion black hole. And I’m not going to resile from that.”
Ministers “need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from” before they set out details of a partial U-turn on the winter fuel payment, Sir Keir said. He added: “But I take your point, which is that if we want to look again at which pensioners are eligible, then the sooner we have clarity on that, the better.”
Sir Keir also has said he is “determined to bring down child poverty”. Asked by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme about moves to scrap the two-child benefit cap, the Prime Minister said: “I don’t think this is a silver bullet. I will say that straight away.
“I think there are many measures that contribute to child poverty, and therefore I don’t take the sort of binary approach: ‘It’s either this or nothing’.
“On the other hand, as I say, as we go forward with this review, I am clear in my own mind that I want this Labour Government to bring down child poverty, and I’m determined that that is what we will do.”
Last summer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the previously universal winter fuel payment would be means-tested. The policy was blamed for the party’s collapse in support since last year’s general election, and campaigners were challenged about it on the doorsteps during May’s local elections.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said that his party would support scrapping the two-child benefit cap and also reverse the winter fuel payment cuts. Sir Keir said he is looking at “all options” to drive down child poverty when asked if he would like to get rid of the two-child benefit cap last Thursday.
Speaking on a visit to the North West, the Prime Minister said: “There isn’t a single bullet, but I’m absolutely determined that we will drive this down, and that’s why we’ll look at all options, always, of driving down child poverty.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the Labour and Reform leaders of asking people to fund “unlimited child support for others” by scrapping the two-child cap. Writing in the Daily Mail, she said that the Conservatives are the “only serious party of sound money”.
“Britain deserves party leaders who don’t treat economics like a branch of showbiz, an announcement for a nice headline and forget about the deficit,” she said.
Previously a universal benefit for pensioners, the Winter Fuel Payment is now limited to those receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. This policy change removed eligibility for approximately 10 million pensioners in England and Wales, reducing the number of recipients from 10.8 million to about 1.5 million individuals in 1.3 million households .
The decision sparked significant backlash. Labour faced internal dissent, with over 170 backbench MPs expressing concerns about the cuts’ impact on pensioners and potential voter alienation . The policy was also linked to Labour’s losses in the May 2025 local elections, including a key by-election defeat in Runcorn & Helsby.
A Savanta poll indicated that 59% of respondents opposed the policy, with 78% of those aged 55 and over disapproving of the cuts.
Current Eligibility Criteria
For winter 2024/2025, to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, individuals must:
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Be born before 23 September 1958
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Reside in England or Wales
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Receive Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits
Payments range from £200 to £300, depending on age and circumstances, and are typically disbursed in November or December.
Given the evolving nature of this policy, it’s advisable to stay informed through official channels or consult with local support services to understand how these changes may affect you.
