Energy secretary says chancellor did not make mistake in initial decision to remove benefit from most pensioners
UK politics live – latest updates
Rachel Reeves deserves credit for her U-turn on winter fuel allowance, Ed Miliband has said while denying that it was wrong to make the initial cut.
The Treasury announced on Monday that it would restore the allowance to all pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less a year, amid public outrage over the cut, which was the first act of the Labour government. Reeves had previously removed the benefit from all but the poorest pensioners – those on pension credit.
The decision has drawn criticism from those who have pointed out the relative wealth of pensioners and that couples with a joint income of £70,000 will receive it.
