Those who could benefit from winter fuel U-turn

In a latest U-turn after months of backlash, Sir Keir Starmer's government has announced that more pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance.

- HOLLY EVANS ARCHIE MITCHELL

Rachel Reeves on Wednesday confirmed a change on the controversial cuts would be in place in time for this winter, but said the government would not set out details of exactly how the payment will be restored until the autumn Budget.

There remains confusion over who will be affected by the changes, when they will be introduced and what they will entail, but pensions minister Torsten Bell has said that the payment would not be reinstated for everyone.

How many people did the winter fuel payment cut affect?

The winter fuel payment is a state benefit previously given to all pensioners to help with energy costs during the coldest months of the year.

The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by Rachel Reeves when she became chancellor after Labour’s landslide election victory last year, and it has been widely blamed for the party’s collapse in support.