Rachel Reeves offers clearest signal but that she is contemplating Winter Fuel Payment U-turn | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Rachel Reeves has given the clearest signal but that her resolve over the removing of the winter gas fee may very well be softening. The Chancellor has confronted fierce criticism for her choice early into her time in workplace to means take a look at the fee, depriving tens of millions of pensioners of the very important supply of earnings.

Polling from analysts More in Common discovered that the choice was Labour’s most damaging coverage in authorities, with the general public extra conscious of the change than any of Labour’s different insurance policies. Criticism from Labour MPs and suggestions from grassroot activists who campaigned through the latest native elections has led to hypothesis that the Government is likely to be keen to carry out an embarrassing U-turn on the coverage in a determined bid to stem the harm triggered. Speaking on LBC right this moment, the Chancellor stated: “I do understand the concerns that some people have about the level at which the winter fuel payment is removed.”

Following the modifications to the fee, solely the poorest in society who’re in receipt of sure advantages would proceed to obtain the £300 annual fee.

The measure is believed to have saved the Treasury £1.5 billion however has come at an enormous political price, with many attributing the coverage as a key consider Labour’s poor exhibiting on this month’s native elections.

Speaking after narrowly avoiding shedding the mayoralty, Labour Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones stated: “I wrote as soon as the winter fuel allowance was actually mooted, and I said it was wrong, and therefore I stepped in immediately and used our household support fund to ensure no-one in Doncaster went cold during the winter.”

Left-wing Labour MP Kim Johnson is considered one of many inside the get together who’ve spoken out in regards to the coverage and the harm it may do to the get together electorally.

She stated on X: “Voters want change – and if we don’t offer it with bold, hopeful policies that rebuild trust, the far right will.”

Voters in Reeves’s personal constituency have beforehand expressed their disgust to the Daily Express over the choice.

Speculation has circulated within the wake of Labour native election humiliation that the Chancellor may take into account easing the restrict at which the profit was eliminated to make sure these on low incomes regain the very important annual fee.

When requested instantly about elevating the edge, Ms Reeves refused to rule it out.

She stated: “We are always listening to these things, I’m not going to set out any policy today but of course we are always listening.”

Rachel Reeves and the Treasury have been contacted for remark