Corbyn warns Labour: Voters aren't fooled by feigned regret over cruel decisions

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves must use this week's Budget to "reverse the damage" of the winter fuel payment cuts and spare pensioners further "misery".

- David Williamson

Leading figures from across the political divide urged her to scrap the controversial cuts, which have robbed around 10 million pensioners of fuel support.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pushed his former colleague to abandon means testing and restore the £200-£300 payment as a universal benefit.

Fears are mounting that many of the very poorest retirees will not get the allowance because they have not applied for pension credit.

Campaigners have meanwhile warned that pensioners are enduring "sleepless nights" because they are so worried about how they will pay for their heating.

Mr Corbyn asked what other services will now be subject to means-testing, saying: "Universal payments ensure everyone who needs it, gets it and reduces the stigma attached to those who rely on it the most.

What next for means testing? The NHS?" He said the Labour Government had "opted to take money away from people who were promised things would change".

The independent MP added that people should "not be fooled by ministers' attempts to feign regret over cruel decisions they know they don't have to take".