Winter Fuel Cuts Hurt Labour in Local Elections, Wes Streeting Admits

LONDON: Health Secretary Wes Streeting has admitted that Labour’s decision to restrict winter fuel payments affected the party’s performance in last week’s local elections.

Speaking to the BBC, Streeting said that many voters were upset about the cuts, and the issue had been raised frequently during the campaign. “I’m not going to insult your viewers by pretending that winter fuel didn’t come up on the doorstep — of course it did,” he said.

Despite the backlash, Streeting defended the policy, saying it was necessary to fund improvements in public services. He pointed to the multiple crises inherited by the government, which required tough financial decisions in the recent Budget.

The winter fuel payment — a £200 annual allowance for most pensioners (rising to £300 for those over 80) — used to be widely available. But under the new policy, it is now limited to pensioners who receive pension credit or other income-related benefits, in a move aimed at saving £1.4 billion.

This change means around 9 million pensioners have lost access to the payment. Importantly, the decision was not included in Labour’s election manifesto, which may have fueled further public frustration.

Last week, Labour lost 187 council seats and control of the only council it was defending. Streeting said the party is now “reflecting on what the voters told us last Thursday at the ballot box.”

When asked if the policy could be reversed, Streeting stated that it was not under formal review. However, reports in The Guardian suggested that Labour ministers may consider partially reversing the cuts later this year.

Downing Street sources also confirmed that internal discussions have taken place to address the public concern over the winter fuel payment cuts.

Streeting concluded that although the policy is unpopular, it was part of a broader plan to raise investment for critical public services and deliver the change people expect from the government.