Labour lost public trust over fuel farce

LABOUR has “to go a long way” to rebuild trust among older people after axing the winter fuel payment, campaigners have warned.

- By Steph Spyro Deputy Political Editor

A poll carried out just before the Government's U-turn this week has revealed a collapse in public faith.

Some 37% of people said they believed ministers understood the impact that means-testing the benefit would have on pensioners.

A similar number (41%) did not trust the Government to ensure pensioners were treated fairly.

And 37% had no confidence ministers would use public money efficiently when deciding who received the payment, according to the poll by Savanta for the Institute of Research and Reforms International (IRR).

The cash, worth £200 or £300 depending on the age of recipients, was means-tested for the first time last year.

It meant some 10 million pensioners did not receive the money despite it being a lifeline for many. But Labour made a dramatic reversal on Monday after the issue became a major vote loser in the recent local elections.