12.54 BSTNo 10 rules out reversing cuts to winter fuel paymentsDowning Street has ruled out reversing the cuts to winter fuel payments.After the Guardian reported last night that ministers are considering a review of the policy, which was frequently cited by people as a reason not to vote Labour in last week’s local elections, the government just said no “formal” review of the policy was underway. And this morning, giving interviews on behalf of the government, Wes Streeting, the health secretary, pointedly sidestepped questions about whether a rethink was possible. (See 8.41am.)But since then the government machine has firmed up its line because at the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM’s spokesperson said the policy would not change.Asked if the policy was likely to change, the spokesperson said:
The government has set out his position on means testing winter fuel [payments]. It was was a difficult decision, but it was one that the government had to take to repair our public finances and stabilise the economy.
The government’s priority is ensuring that pensioners receive the financial support they deserve, with millions set to see their state pension rise by over £1,900 pounds over the course of this parliament through our commitments to the triple lock.
And beyond that, we’ve actually boosted the pension credit campaign. We’ve seen over 105,000 extra applications on the previous year. We’ve extended the household support fund with over £400m to ensure local authorities can support vulnerable people and families, which itself ensures around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive up to £300 pounds in which fuel payments.
And, beyond that, we’ve announced previous plans to extend the warm homes discount.
Asked if this meant that the policy will not change, the spokesperson said:
The policy is set out. There will not be a change to the government’s policy. We set out the difficult decision. It was one that we had to take to bring about economic stability, repair the public finances following the £22bn black hole left by the previous government.
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