Moment Labour minister refuses to rule out enormous winter gas minimize U-turn | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A senior Treasury minister refused to rule out a significant U-turn on Winter Fuel Allowance this night, amid widespread studies Rachel Reeves might lastly collapse on the hated minimize. Appearing on Sky News, Chief Secretary Darren Jones was requested immediately whether or not the Government is bracing for a reversal of the coverage.

He nakedly dodged the query, merely replying: “I’m midway through the Spending Review at the moment, so I can’t tell you anything about it until I’ve done it.” I promise to return again to the studio to speak to you on June 11 and after that after we’ve revealed the main points. As you’ll anticipate I’m not going to provide a operating commentary on personal negotiations in authorities. The coverage that exists in the present day is the police that stands.”

He additionally refused to substantiate on deny studies within the Sunday Times about whether or not the Government is operating focus teams to ballot how hated Ms Reeves minimize the very important pensioner lifeline is.

Mr Jones merely stated: “I don’t know, I don’t run focus groups.”

Host Sophy Ridge identified that the highest minister’s non-denial is a special reply to 1 different ministers have regurgitated in latest weeks.

She stated: “For me, the journalist in me, the ears prick up and you start thinking that something’s moving.”

Asked if he might give apprehensive pensioners reassurance on the difficulty, the chief secretary replied: “I empathise with it and I understand, and that’s why it’s important you do these things in the proper way.”

Last Friday the PM declined to rule out a reversal when he spoke to the Daily Express final night time – and recommended the economic system had improved for the reason that “difficult decision” to chop funds was made final 12 months.

Sir Keir was requested about studies he’s holding talks with aides about modifications which might imply scrapping means-testing totally or rising the brink in order that extra pensioners are eligible for funds of as much as £300. He stated: “Look, we took difficult decisions, but the right decisions, at the budget, including the decision that we took on winter fuel.

“As a result of those decisions – I mean, they were taken specifically with the purpose of stabilising the economy. And I think we’re seeing the evidence of that in the interest rate cuts and the growth figures. So, they were difficult decisions but they were right decisions.”

Sir Keir’s advisers consider the coverage is so unpopular that it’s value finishing up a humiliating rethink and an announcement could possibly be made as quickly as subsequent month.

It comes after anxious Labour MPs warned Number 10 that anger over means-testing, which robbed hundreds of thousands of pensioners of cash to assist them keep heat in winter, contributed to Labour’s enormous losses in native elections earlier this month.

And focus teams have reportedly reassured the Prime Minister that voters will again a change of coronary heart.

The almost definitely possibility is to extend the means-testing threshold, at present £11,809 for many single pensioners, in order that way more persons are eligible for the fee. Another possibility is to scrap means-testing totally and return to a scenario the place all pensioners are often eligible for the cash, however that is much less enticing due to the large price.

An announcement might come as quickly because the Spending Review on 11 June. Alternatively, the change could possibly be introduced in Rachel Reeves’ Budget assertion within the autumn.