A Southampton charity supporting pensioners is "glad someone has listened" after Sir Keir Starmer U-turns on winter fuel payments.

The prime minister has said the Government wants to make more pensioners eligible for winter fuel payments, and he will rethink the controversial cuts to pensioners’ benefits.

Sir Keir said that “as the economy improves” he wanted to look at widening eligibility for the payments worth up to £300.

Under the previous proposal, only pensioners who qualify for pension credit, universal credit, or income support will be entitled to receive the £200 to £300 payment to help with their heating bills.

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Sarah Cardy, CEO of Age UK Southampton, said: "I am glad that someone has listened to what we have been saying since the shock announcement. 

"We are pleased there has been a U-turn, but the devil is in the details.

"In the short term, something needs to be done to avoid what happened last winter.

"In Southampton, there's £5,000,000 in unclaimed pension credit. We will keep pushing and saying this needs to be taken seriously."

Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, Darren Paffey, previously supported the removal of the winter fuel allowance, at the time calling it a "difficult decision".

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He said: “While I support means-testing to ensure Winter Fuel Payments are there to help those on the lowest incomes rather than the very wealthiest, I have also been concerned that some people who narrowly miss out on the threshold for eligibility will find this change particularly difficult.

“That’s why last winter I worked closely with Age UK and Citizens Advice Southampton to support pensioners to claim Pension Credit, as many were missing out on this and other entitlements.

"And it’s why I welcome the government’s willingness to look at the thresholds again and ensure that they’re achieving what they set out to do, which is ensuring Winter Fuel Payment reaches people who need it the most.”

Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, says she is glad that the Government is "beginning to listen to the voices of pensioners".

She said: "I'm very conscious how many constituents in Romsey and Southampton North have been impacted by the cut to winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

"I am glad there are signs that they are beginning to listen to the voices of pensioners - and I will continue to urge Ministers to recognise that those living in rural areas, reliant on oil or LPG, have been the hardest hit."