Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from Labour MPs to reverse Winter Fuel Payment cuts for pensioners following the party's shock by-election defeat in Runcorn and Helsby.
Reform UK overturned Labour's majority of almost 15,000 in what had been the 49th safest Labour seat. MPs from across the party have blamed the Chancellor Rachel Reeves's decision to means-test up to £300 from 10 million pensioners for the result.
Reeves implemented the cuts within weeks of taking office, claiming the money was needed to fill a "black hole" left by the previous Conservative Government.
Dan Carden, leader of the Blue Labour group, said: "The experience from this by-election was that the Winter Fuel cut was the wrong choice, and people have not forgiven the Government for it."
Keir Starmer is being called to reverse the Government's means-testing of Winter Fuel Payments
GETTY"The issue came up time and time again on the doorstep. If the Government were truly listening, they would recognise that mistake and apologise for it," he added.
Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, also blamed the cuts, urging the Prime Minister to reverse them and scrap planned disability benefit cuts.
Left-wing MP Richard Burgon said the defeat was "entirely avoidable" and "the direct result of the party leadership's political choices."
Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones warned that the Prime Minister "needed to listen to voters' anger" on the issue. Nearly 1.4 million older people, including more than 125,000 in Scotland, currently receive Pension Credit, which could provide an average of £4,300 in extra support.
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Britons are looking for energy bill support Households warned faulty smart meters may leave 'large unexpected billsDespite this significant financial boost, the benefit remains significantly underclaimed. Many older people mistakenly believe they wouldn't qualify because they have savings or own their home.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that nearly 78 per cent of new Pension Credit claims are processed within 50 working days.
This means older people making a new claim this month could receive their first payment and any arrears by mid-July. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that in 2021, some 3.3 million people aged 65 years and over were living alone in England and Wales, with around 337,000 single pensioner households recorded in Scotland.
To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, applicants must be State Pension age (66) with a weekly income of less than £227.10 for a single person or £346.60 for a couple.
This amount could be higher for those who are disabled, carers or have certain housing costs. Savings Credit can provide additional support, with the exact amount depending on income and savings.
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The eligibility rule change to the Winter Fuel Payment last year means that only pensioners claiming certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, received the 2024/25 payment.
However, older people making a successful new claim before September this year will qualify for the 2025/26 payment. Additional benefits include help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax.
The Prime Minister acknowledged this week's election result was "disappointing" and said: "What I want to say is, my response is we get it."
However, he rejected the idea of quick fixes, telling Sky News: "I never pretended at the election last year there was some magic wand that I could pick up and change everything within a few months."
