Five million pensioners could get winter fuel allowance reinstated this year under Labour's humiliating climbdown, it was claimed today.
However, millions more face higher tax bills to 'claw back' the benefit - worth up to £300. And there are concerns that bereaved families could be hit with unexpected demands for cash.
The complicated solution has been mooted after months of scrambling to defuse fury at the policy.
It was one of the first announcements Rachel Reeves made after entering No11, and has been blamed for triggering the dramatic slump in Labour's popularity.
Keir Starmer dramatically announced a U-turn on the plans last month, without saying what exactly was being proposed or when it would take effect.
