Starmer announces U-turn on winter fuel payment cuts

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Sir Keir Starmer has announced a reversal on winter fuel payment cuts, pledging to ease eligibility rules after widespread criticism. Over 10 million pensioners lost the payments—worth up to £300—last year when the benefit became means-tested. Starmer said more pensioners would qualify under changes to be detailed in the autumn Budget, though specifics remain unclear. The original cuts, made to save £1.4bn, drew backlash from unions, charities, and Labour MPs, with some blaming the policy for local election losses, the BBC has reported. Former PM Gordon Brown backed the U-turn, calling it a move toward fairness for pensioners.