Keir Starmer refuses to apologise for Winter Fuel U-turn as he tells GB News' Christopher Hope: 'It was the right decision'

When quizzed by GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope on whether the Government will "apologise" to pensioners in the speech, Starmer dismissed the question and instead defended the scrapping of the benefit.

Starmer told the People's Channel: "The decision we made on Winter Fuel in the Budget was the right decision."

He added: "We had to stabilise the economy, and we've done that as a result of that.

"By the way, we committed to the triple lock, something the Tories haven't done. And that means £470 went onto pensions in April, which is hugely important."

Praising Reeves's decision to U-turn on the payments, Starmer said he is "pleased" that they are able to do it "before the next Budget".

Starmer stated: "I'm pleased that we're able to do this now, as more pensioners will be eligible. It's important the decision was made this week, because the costing will obviously be in the Budget, quite right too.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Keir Starmer urged to 'reshuffle Rachel Reeves' by ex-Labour MP after 'foolish' winter fuel error
• Andrew urges Keir Starmer to 'raise his game' after toe-curling video receives brutal backlash
• Rachel Reeves lambasted over Winter Fuel U-turn in blistering rant by top Tory

"But we need to make it this week so that everybody knows where they stand, but most importantly, the system can be put in place to make those payments this winter, so I'm really pleased to be able to do that."

Quizzed on the funding for police in the spending review, Starmer assured that Britain will be "more safe" with the measures announced by the Chancellor.

Starmer told GB News: "Britain will be more safe. There's money going into policing, into security, and that is really important, particularly coming from my background. I was chief prosecutor for five years, prosecuting cases across England and Wales, so this is a core belief of mine.

"Those extra police officers will be neighbourhood police officers, and I think that will give people the reassurance in their communities that they are safe and secure as individuals, as families, as communities."

Offering further examples of how the spending review will benefit Britain, Starmer insisted Labour is "driving the country forward", not "backwards like Nigel Farage".

Starmer said: "Tomorrow, the spending review is also about huge investment in the future of our country. You saw last week the Strategic Defence Review, huge investment.

"You saw what we're doing on free school meals, no Government has ever done that before. And today, the investment in Sizewell and the future of our energy in this country.

"So this is what we're doing to drive our country forward, the sort of investment we haven't seen for a very, very long time in this class. I want to go forward, not backwards, and Nigel Farage is going backwards."