Labour Government Reverses Winter Fuel Cuts Covering 75% Pensioners

Labour has reversed its previous means-testing policy on winter fuel payments, expanding eligibility to pensioners earning up to £35,000 annually, which increases the number of qualifying pensioners to around nine million and restores payments worth up to £300. This U-turn, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, followed significant backlash over the initial cuts that left about 10 million pensioners without support, with payments now set to be automatic and costing around £1.25 billion. Scottish officials, including Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, welcomed the extension but criticized the lack of prior communication and expressed concerns that many pensioners may still miss out, highlighting difficulties coordinating devolved social security systems with UK-wide decisions. The Labour government in Scotland continues to maintain its own winter fuel payment scheme, with varying amounts depending on income and pension credit status, and is urging clarity from Westminster on how the changes will affect their programs. The U-turn has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative MPs during parliamentary sessions, though some Labour MPs have called for further welfare reforms beyond the winter fuel payment reversal. Overall, the reversal is seen as a necessary correction of a misstep that had damaged trust in the Labour government and overshadowed its early progress on other fronts.