Labour could introduce 'social tariff' for energy bills to help poorer households

Amidst growing discontent, Sir Keir Starmer is grappling with the prospect of winter fuel unrest. The I disclosed on Sunday that about 30 Labour MPs are poised to defy the government over the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payment, valued at £300, by The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Plans under consideration by ministers could see households with lower incomes benefit from reduced gas and electricity bills. The government is exploring the possibility of introducing a social tariff for energy costs, as reported by the newspaper and news website.

According to reports, this initiative might be funded by energy companies. Sources have informed I that a social tariff is on the table as a potential medium to long-term solution, although no definitive decisions will be made until the Autumn Budget and fiscal statement on October 30.

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The health secretary has expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to reduce the winter fuel allowance for certain pensioners, stating he is "not remotely happy" about it. Wes Streeting has extended apologies to the elderly in his constituency who will be impacted, asserting that eliminating the payment for those not receiving pension credit is crucial for the equilibrium of public finances.

Speaking to Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, he expressed his discomfort: "I think it is a tough choice, and we've had plenty of political criticism for it, I think, which demonstrates the political pain of it. I'm not remotely happy about it, and I'm not remotely happy about having to say to some of my constituents, 'I'm sorry that I'm going into work this week to vote for something that will take money away from you'.", reports Birmingham Live.

Echoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's view that it was a "tough choice" necessary for economic stability, Mr Streeting added: "I think there are lots of people out there, actually, particularly pensioners, who've seen governments come and go, and have seen what happens when politicians duck the difficult decisions, who, even if they don't agree with this choice, I hope will take some reassurance that this isn't a government that ducks difficult decisions or pretends you can spend money you don't have, or pretends that the stability of the public finances is not an essential ingredient for the future growth, prosperity and success of our country."