DWP Winter Fuel Payment U-turn update as Starmer holds talks | Personal Finance | Finance

A survey has indicated that a third of Britons believe winter fuel payments should be reinstated for all pensioners, following Sir Keir Starmer‘s reconsideration on limiting the benefit.

The Prime Minister has expressed his intention to review and potentially expand the eligibility for the DWP payments, which can amount to as much as £300, after Labour narrowed the scope of recipients last year.

However, there has been no clarity from officials on how many additional pensioners might benefit or whether the policy change would be implemented in time for the upcoming winter.

According to a YouGov poll conducted on Thursday, 44% of participants feel the benefit should remain means-tested but be available to more pensioners than at present, while 7% are in favour of maintaining the current policy. Meanwhile, 33% support a return to the old system where the payment was universal.

Labour’s decision to means-test the payment, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves following the party’s overwhelming election win last year, has been widely criticised and is thought to have contributed to the party’s subsequent decline in popularity, triggering the U-turn in thinking.

Sir Keir was scheduled to meet with leaders from the devolved nations and regions on Friday. During bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney was anticipated to advocate for the full restoration of the winter fuel payment for pensioners.

Baroness Eluned Morgan, the leader of Welsh Labour, has stated her desire for the “majority of pensioners” to receive the winter fuel allowance.

Asked on the BBC‘s Political Thinking podcast if she minded the idea of removing it from high-rate taxpayers while maintaining it for others, she replied: “That’s probably where I’d be.”