Starmer faces union pressure over winter fuel payment cut

Leaders of two of the biggest unions have added further pressure on the government over its plan to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners in England and Wales.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham told the BBC the government should “do a U-turn”, while head of the PCS union Fran Heathcote said it was a “misstep” which needed to be “put right”.

Paul Nowak, head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) which brings unions together, has also said the government should “rethink” and consider other lines of support for pensioners.

Sir Keir Starmer, who is facing a potential rebellion at a vote in the Commons on Tuesday, says the cut is necessary due to the state of the country’s finances.

The change will mean more than 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the payments of between £200 and £300 a year, which will now only be made to those on low incomes who receive certain benefits.

Charities and many MPs are concerned about those still on a relatively small income who will miss out.

The vast majority of those eligible will only receive the payments if they have first claimed pension credit, a state pension top-up. It is estimated that 880,000 eligible pensioners have not claimed it.

One pensioner who will be affected by the planned cut is Marilyn, 70, from Paignton in Devon.

She told the BBC she was not entitled to pension credit because of her savings, which she keeps in case of an emergency.

“I am extremely worried, the cost of living already puts a big strain on my low income which is my state pension,” she said.