Starmer announces U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts

Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to winter fuel payments, in a U-turn following mounting political pressure in recent weeks.

More than 10 million pensioners lost out on the payments, worth up to £300, when the pension top-up became means-tested last year.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said ministers would change the threshold to allow "more pensioners" to qualify again.

But it remains unclear how many will regain their entitlement for the payments, or when the changes will take effect.

Sir Keir said the policy would be changed at the autumn Budget, adding ministers would only "make decisions we can afford".