More pensioners will now be eligible for winter fuel payments
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More pensioners could be eligible for the winter fuel payment after a U-turn on the planned cuts.
Sir Keir Starmer announced that more people could get the winter fuel money months after the government cut the number.
Speaking at the Prime Minister's Questions, he said he understood the financial pressures on pensioners after he was quizzed on the controversial move.
He said: 'I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis including pensioners. More Trending
'As the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.
'As you would expect Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford, that is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.'
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Labour MP Sarah Owen said: 'Whilst the economy is showing signs of improving, many pensioners are still impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. People in Luton who have worked hard all their lives seeing their precious savings slip away, so can the Prime Minister tell us what measures he will take to help struggling pensions in towns like mine?'
The government came under fire after MPs voted in favour of cutting the payments and making it means-tested rather than universal.
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