Lib Dems demand extra Winter Fuel u-turn from Rachel Reeves for those who lost out

The Liberal Democrats have called on Rachel Reeves to backdate her Winter Fuel threshold changes, and compensate those who unfairly missed out this previous year. The move comes after the Chancellor finally confirmed pensioners earning less than £35,000 will get the key welfare lifeline this winter, unlike the previous £11,500 threshold.

Ms Reeves refused to apologise for causing thousands of pensioners to suffer this previous Christmas, but the announcement was greeted with jubilation by campaign groups and critics. However the Liberal Democrats have now told the Express yesterday’s announcement did not go far enough. Treasury spokesman Daisy Cooper said: “The world’s longest u-turn has still left a job half-done. If the Government is truly sorry it would backdate these payments to those who are now eligible.”

“It’s the least the government can do after their decision left many pensioners choosing between heating and eating.

“Liberal Democrats will push the Government to backdate these payments for those who can now claim but who missed out this winter after their payments were unfairly stripped away.

“We will be using all the Parliamentary tools at our disposal to force the Government’s hand and right this wrong.”

It’s understood these tools will include tabling bills, motions and even amendments to Labour’s legislation.

It’s believed that the Government planned benefit reforms will be voted on next week, which could prove ripe for an amendment on Winter Fuel.

If the LibDems had their calls met, this would mean an extra £200 for around 7.5 million pensioners between the previous £11,500 income threshold, and the new £35,000 cap.

Speaking to the Express yesterday, Rachel Reeves finally admitted she got it badly wrong over her decision to cut Winter Fuel for pensioners.

While she avoided saying ‘sorry’, she admitted that she “empathised” with those hit hardest by the cut.

The Daily Express has campaigned relentlessly to bring about the change since it was announced by the Chancellor following the election.

However she’s now facing questions about how the u-turn will be funded, as it’s set to cost over £1 billion.

Labour claims they have the cash thanks to economic growth, though official statistics dismiss this argument as a fantasy.