Sir Keir Starmer has said his government is “going to have to be unpopular” as he defended his decision to scrap winter fuel payments for 10mn pensioners, ahead of a vote on the issue on Tuesday.
The UK prime minister insisted the move was necessary to shore up the public finances, but refused to confirm whether potential Labour rebels would be stripped of the party whip.
A backlash among Labour MPs has grown as a number of party grandees joined criticism of the plan to end winter fuel payments — worth £200 or £300 depending on individual circumstances — for all but the poorest pensioners. Officials estimate this will save the Treasury £1.5bn.
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