Sir Keir: OAPs' chilly winter fuelled India deal

SIR Keir Starmer has been mocked for claiming his decision to rob pensioners of winter fuel payments helped secure this week’s Indian trade deal.

- By Christian Calgie Senior Political Correspondent

He made the bizarre argument at Prime Minister’s Questions while being grilled by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

When she asked whether he might reinstate the benefit following his local election drubbing, Sir Keir insisted that a financial “black hole” created by the previous government forced his administration to slash the payments.

Sir Keir added: “We’re committed to the triple lock, which improved pensions by £470 last year.

“Because of the work that we’ve done, we’re a country that countries like India want to do deals with.”