Rachel Reeves claimed she had 'listened' and refused to apologise today as she humiliatingly restored winter fuel payments to nine million pensioners.
The Chancellor has announced that more than three-quarters of older people will get the allowance - worth up to £300 - this winter.
But another two million on incomes of more than £35,000 in England and Wales face having the money clawed back in higher tax bills.
That has already sparked alarm at the government having to pursue bereaved relatives - although No10 insisted such cases would not be pursued.
The move is the culmination of a shambolic volte face on the hated policy, which has been blamed for the dramatic plunge in Labour's popularity.
