It showed us exactly what this new Labour government was about. Reeves seem to relish stripping 10 million pensioners of vital support worth up to £300 every winter.
She thought it showed she could make tough decisions. But she wasn’t prepared for the backlash.
While many wealthy pensioners don’t need the money, around two million who are just above the poverty line desperately do need it.
The move became symbolic of a government (and Chancellor) that didn’t get it.
As we have learned to our cost, you have to watch what Sir Keir says very, very carefully. He’s a lawyer, after all.
What will today’s announcement mean in practice?
As with any dodgy dealer, it’s vital to pore over the small print.
Asked by a Labour MP in the House of Commons during today’s PMQs what measures he will take to help struggling pensioners, Sir Keir replied: “As the economy improves we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their lives going forward.”
He then added: “That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.”
So what does that tell us?
Labour will make sure “more pensioners are eligible”.
Not all pensioners, as was the case before. But “more”.
How many more, Sir Keir didn’t say. One more? Two more? One million more? All ten million?
As yet, we just don’t know.
The winter fuel payment isn’t that expensive in the general scheme of things. It costs just £1.5billion a year but the symbolism is huge.
So Labour could afford to restore it for all. Individually means testing the payment so that only some pensioners get it might be an option.
But means testing would be hugely complicated. And expensive. We will see. The next question is when?
Back to Sir Keir. He went onto say: “As you would expect, Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford. That is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.”
Most people will assume that means Reeves’s autumn Budget, which is the only big fiscal event I’m expecting this year.
That would also make sense, time-wise. It would allow Labour to restore the winter fuel payment, just before winter, when it’s paid.
And since the autumn Budget is likely to include a heap of bad news, this could work nicely for Labour, by giving Reeves at least one positive thing to say.
Even if it’s in the shape of an embarrassing U-turn.
Until then, we’ll be on tenterhooks. It really does look like the winter fuel payment is back. But most pensioners won’t believe it until it hits their bank account. Assuming it does.
