Pensioners could have their winter payments restored from NEXT WEEK

By JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 23:29 BST, 2 June 2025 | Updated: 00:06 BST, 3 June 2025

Winter fuel payments could be restored to all but the wealthiest pensioners as soon as next week, Keir Starmer hinted yesterday.The Prime Minister, who announced a major U-turn on the controversial cut last month, suggested the details could be unveiled in next week’s comprehensive spending review.Ministers are looking at a range of options for restoring the payment to most pensioners following a furious public backlash and warnings from Labour MPs that means-testing the vital payment has hurt the party at the polls. Under the leading option, the payment would be restored to all pensioners except those who pay higher rate tax.Around 10million pensioners lost the payment last year after Rachel Reeves used her first major act in government to restrict it to those with incomes of less than £1,000 a month.Campaigners have warned failure to say who would have their payments restored and when is causing further anxiety for pensioners. Dennis Reed, of campaign group Silver Voices, said it would be ‘completely unacceptable’ to leave pensioners in limbo until the autumn Budget, as No 10 originally suggested.‘Leaving it to the Budget would be far too late to get payments out this winter, which would be seen as yet another betrayal,’ he said. Keir Starmer yesterday hinted that winter fuel payments could be restored to all but the wealthiest pensioners as soon as next week Around 10 million pensioners lost the payment last year after Rachel Reeves (above, right) used her first major act in government to restrict it to those with incomes of less than £1,000 a month Campaigners have warned failure to say who would have their payments restored and when is causing further anxiety for pensioners (Stock Image)Sir Keir declined to comment on the detail of the proposed changes yesterday.But he indicated the Chancellor could release the plans next week.The PM told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme ministers ‘need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from’ before they set out full details of the U-turn.He added: ‘The sooner we have clarity on that, the better’, but said there were still ‘lots of moving parts’ before the review is finalised.