8 d. ago Keir Starmer caves in to Labour rebels with huge welfare cuts climbdown to avert humiliating Commons vote defeat

In a letter to MPs, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall revealed personal independence payments will be protected

Politics

1 week ago Labour minister suggests UK Government could copy Scottish Child Payment

Employment minister Alison McGovern said "all levers are very much on the table" when asked if her government was considering raising the child element of universal credit to the same rate as the SCP.

Politics

2 w. ago Pensioners warned to watch out for Winter Fuel Payment scam texts after Labour changes

Many of the scam texts falsely tell pensioners that an urgent deadline is approaching

Events

3 w. ago Ministers 'on resignation watch' in Labour benefits revolt as desperate Starmer 'says disability claimants can keep payments for an extra three months'

The transitional arrangements for proposed curbs to handouts look set to be extended from four weeks.

Politics

3 w. ago Claimants set to lose disability benefits 'will get payments for an extra three months' as Keir Starmer desperately tries to quell Labour revolt

The transitional arrangements for proposed curbs to handouts look set to be extended from four weeks.

Politics

3 w. ago DWP changes in full as Rachel Reeves announces Spending Review for 'working people'

After weeks of intense behind-the-scenes wrangling over who gets what, Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled her Spending Review after the Labour Government U-turned on cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment

Economics

3 w. ago Why did Starmer and Reeves change tack on winter fuel payments? Every Labour U

The Independent looks at all the times Sir Keir Starmer has let voters down or outright U-turned on his promises on the journey from Labour leader to prime minister

Politics

3 w. ago Lanarkshire MSP calls on Holyrood to make sure OAPs aren't left behind on winter fuel payments

More than 75 per cent of pensioners in England and Wales will be entitled to the new annual payment of up to £300 after the Labour government abandoned one of its first, and most controversial, policies.

Politics

3 w. ago The Guardian view on Labour’s tough choices: they are costing the government dearly | Editorial

Austerity-era scepticism runs deep – and Labour’s abstract promises are falling flat as Nigel Farage rises in the pollsThe Labour government’s abrupt U-turn on winter fuel payments – restoring the benefit to more than three-quarters of pensioners – reveals less a change of heart than a sobering realisation in Westminster: after years of austerity, the public no longer gives politicians the benefit of the doubt. The irony is hard to miss. Labour set out to prove that “grown-up” economics means difficult decisions – only to find that once trust is lost, voters won’t accept vague promises without tangible results.It turns out many are sceptical that sacrifices will produce better results for society. That’s why ministers are struggling to justify cuts to disability benefits as a way to “fund” public services – or to convince the public that Britain can’t afford to lift the two-child benefit cap even as ministers claim they will reduce child poverty. There may be more conspicuous retrea...

Politics

3 w. ago Martin Lewis gives his verdict on Labour’s winter fuel payment U

‘I’m very grateful to the Chancellor,’ the personal finance guru said

Politics

3 w. ago Winter Fuel Payment: Labour restores 2025 allowance to millions of pensioners, eligibility

Older people are being urged to check if they qualify under new income rules ❄️

Economics

3 w. ago 9 million pensioners to receive winter fuel payment again this year in Reeves U

Almost nine out of 11 pensioners who lost the payments last year will have them reinstated after Labour suffered a massive political backlash against the decision

Economics

3 w. ago No decision on winter fuel allowance until autumn, minister says

Chaotic government messaging has left millions of pensioners with no idea what the changes to winter fuel payments will look like

Politics

4 w. ago Labour's 'winter fuel death tax': Tens of thousands of grieving families could be hounded to pick up their dead elderly relative's HMRC bill

The families of dead pensioners could be hounded by the taxman under Labour's winter fuel payments U-turn, it emerged yesterday.

Events