SIR Keir Starmer has backtracked on the Government’s plan to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for 10 million pensioners after a furious backlash.
The PM admitted he's now "looking at" ditching the proposed cuts amid growing public fury.
He told the Commons: “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.”
It comes after Rachel Reeves yesterday insisted she was “listening” to concerns about the £11,500 threshold over which pensioners are no longer eligible for the handout.
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The policy was unveiled soon after the election, with the Chancellor claiming she had been forced to take “tough decisions” after discovering a £22billion black hole in the nation’s finances.
But the announcement quickly turned toxic, with growing anger from pensioners and a revolt brewing on Labour’s own benches.
MPs warned it had backfired spectacularly, saying it was the top issue raised by voters and had cost the party dearly in the local elections earlier this month.
The I newspaper revealed last week discussion on the policy within No 10 intensified after focus groups also showed Labour could be forgiven if there was a full or semi U-turn.
Ministers are reportedly considering whether to give more pensioners the allowance, by increasing the £11,500 income cut threshold over which they no longer get the payment or by reversing it altogether.
A reversal – or even a partial U-turn – will be seen as a sweetener to scores of Labour MPs who have vowed to rebel over looming benefit cuts.
Some 100 Labour backbenchers – more than a quarter of the party’s parliamentary numbers – have signed a letter urging ministers to scale back the shake-up.
But earlier today, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall vowed to press ahead with slashing the health element of Universal Credit and tightening disability benefit rules.
In a speech in London, Ms Kendall argued the reforms will "help ensure our welfare state is sustainable for the future" and will be be crucial to fighting "the rise in populist politics".