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.