The fallout from last week’s bruising local elections has ignited fierce debate over Labour’s decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners – a move many insiders believe played a decisive role in the party’s poor showing at the polls.
Labour lost nearly two-thirds of its councillors and even surrendered one of its safest parliamentary seats in Runcorn and Helsby to Reform UK.
On doorsteps across the country, the means-testing of winter fuel payments surfaced repeatedly as a key issue.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the cuts shortly after Labour came to power, arguing they were necessary to help plug a £22bn black hole in the public finances.
The government says the savings are being redirected to the NHS and schools, but critics warn the policy risks pushing over 100,000 pensioners into poverty.
Now, pressure is mounting on Sir Keir Starmer to rethink the cuts, with Wes Streeting hinting at a U-turn. Other senior Labour figures, backbench MPs and local leaders have previously called for a reversal of the cuts, warning the party risks alienating core voters.
So we’re asking: what should happen next with the winter fuel payments?
Vote in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below.
