Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has expressed uncertainty over reinstating winter fuel allowances for pensioners, which were cut under the Labour government. Although she acknowledged the Conservatives had previously maintained the payment structure, Badenoch refrained from promising full restoration. She mentioned pressure led to a U-turn from Labour's Prime Minister on this issue, highlighting ongoing economic challenges. Labour's plan to adjust eligibility thresholds, enabling more pensioners to qualify, remains vague, with specific details expected in the autumn budget announcement.
"The whole economy is topsy turvy," Badenoch said. "We need to look at all of it in the round. But we shouldn't do this on the backs of vulnerable pensioners."
Badenoch said, "So I can't just say, 'oh, I'll reverse every single thing they've done'."
She argued her party had forced Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to U-turn on the decision to withdraw winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.
At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said ministers would alter the threshold to allow 'more pensioners' to qualify for the payments again.
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