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DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANGELA RAYNER SAID SHE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE PAYMENT WOULD BE RESTORED IN TIME FOR THIS WINTER. 09:38, 29 May 2025 A warning has been issued as a major update emerges

over the £300 Winter Fuel Payment. Labour Party Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said she could not guarantee the payment would be restored in time for this winter. Tom Barrett, debt and

benefits expert at financial wellbeing charity caba, says uncertainty remains over who is eligible, and more targeted support is urgently needed. He said: “The government’s decision to make

a U-turn on restrictions previously announced regarding winter fuel payments is a welcome change. Whilst it still remains unclear how many pensioners will qualify in light of the

development, these reconsiderations are a positive step towards curbing the anxieties caused by rising energy costs, growing debt and the threat of missing essential payments for a section

of the population who are especially at risk of financial hardship." READ MORE FOREIGN OFFICE ISSUES 'IMPORTANT' WARNING FOR UK TOURISTS 'WHO HAVE HEALTH CONDITION'

The expert said: "Utilising budgeting tools that are readily available can help you get into sustainable spending habits and give you a clearer picture of your income and expenditure to

keep finances on track." Mr Barrett said: "We would also advise that people check whether they are in receipt of all of their benefit entitlement, as currently around 800,000

people are eligible yet do not claim pension credit. An easy way to check your entitlement is to use online tools such as caba’s benefits calculator." He said: "Whether it’s

accessing advice from a charity like caba or seeking out financial resources, there is support out there if you’re worried about how you're going to manage your finances in the upcoming

months.” It comes after a minister gave the strongest sign yet that Labour could end the two-child benefit limit. Bridget Phillipson says it is party’s ‘moral mission’ to ensure fewer

children grow up in poverty. Article continues below She said: “We hear them … We want to make this change happen, and it will be the moral mission of this Labour government to ensure that

fewer children grow up in poverty.” “It’s why I’m in politics. It’s what this Labour government is all about. We will make different decisions to support children and families,” she said.

“That is the moral purpose of this Labor government. We are determined to bring down the numbers of children growing up in poverty. I know myself the impact it has. I’ve experienced it

myself growing up. So it’s really personal to me.”