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LIVERPOOL LABOUR HAS URGED THE PRIME MINISTER TO PROTECT THE CITY'S MOST VULNERABLE AMID A WINTER FUEL U-TURN 14:37, 21 May 2025Updated 15:07, 21 May 2025 Liverpool’s Labour group has

urged the government to go further to protect the elderly from choosing between heating and eating as it announced a review of its winter fuel payment policy. Sir Keir Starmer told

Parliament this afternoon more pensioners would be made eligible for winter fuel payments after the Prime Minister faced pressure within his own ranks to u-turn. Media reports had suggested

ministers could remove the two-child benefit cap or reconsider their decision to means-test the winter fuel payment for pensioners to placate rebellious Labour MPs. Sir Keir said the

Government had needed to “stabilise the economy with tough decisions” after taking over from the Tories, but that it was now starting to improve. Responding to the announcement this

afternoon, the Labour group on Liverpool Council said the move was welcome but the threshold for payments had been too low, which had excluded “many vulnerable pensioners in Liverpool who

still struggle to afford to heat their homes.” The party has urged the government to ensure a more generous scheme was created. Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said: “I

recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, including pensioners. 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.” He said the Government will “only make

decisions we can afford” and will therefore look at this as part of a fiscal event. In a statement a Liverpool Labour group spokesperson said: “Liverpool Labour Group's position has

been clear: the threshold for receiving the winter fuel payment was set too low, excluding many vulnerable pensioners in Liverpool who still struggle to afford to heat their homes. "We

have consistently called for a fairer, more inclusive approach that recognises the real cost-of-living pressures facing our elderly residents.” Tory leader Kemi Badenoch challenged the Prime

Minister over the change of course, calling him “desperate.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey pressed Sir Keir to reverse his cuts to the winter fuel payment in full. The decision to

means test pensioners’ winter fuel payments has been blamed for contributing to Labour’s poor performance in May’s local elections and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. The Liverpool

Labour spokesperson added: “We urge the Government to ensure the review results in a more generous and accessible winter fuel payment, so no one in our city is left to choose between heating

and eating. "Liverpool Labour will continue to campaign for policies that protect the most vulnerable and ensure dignity and security for all our residents, especially through the

challenging winter months.” Cllr Carl Cashman, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, said: “The world’s longest u-turn continues. This will be cold comfort to many vulnerable

pensioners in Liverpool who lost out on vital payments last winter. “Keir Starmer’s backtrack is far too late for the millions of pensioners forced to freeze in their own homes over the

winter. People in our area deserve an apology from the Prime Minister, not vague words that will take months to materialise into something meaningful.” Article continues below