Reeves Hints at Winter Fuel U-Turn After Downing Street Briefings – Guido Fawkes

Reeves Hints at Winter Fuel U-Turn After Downing Street Briefings

Two weeks ago The Guardian reported that Number 10 was in talks to review the winter fuel cuts – widely blamed by MPs for Labour’s drubbing in the local elections – with the threshold, currently at £11,500, potentially being raised. Downing Street denied the story, with ministers dispatched across the airwaves to insist no such talks were taking place…

As Guido reported at the time, Rachel Reeves and her team were furious, blaming Number 10 directly for the briefings. One Labour insider mused that Reeves wouldn’t withstand such a policy change. Fast-forward to this weekend, and reports of a U-turn are back. And Reeves has dropped the denials…

Pressed on LBC last night over whether the winter fuel payment policy was being reconsidered, Reeves didn’t say no:

“We always listen to our voters and to our constituents. And I do understand the concerns that some people have about the level at which the winter fuel payment is removed. We’re always listening to these things.”

Meanwhile, chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones was grilled on Sky News about the same reported ‘talks’. Rather than issue a flat out rejection, Jones said he was busy drafting the June spending review and couldn’t “provide a running commentary.” Any U-turn on this would be a devastating blow for the Chancellor…