Poorer households could get lower energy bills under new 'social tariff' from Labour

Poorer households could get lower energy bills – as Sir Keir Starmer faces winter fuel anger. On Sunday, the I reported 30 Labour MPs are planning to rebel against the government over the Winter Fuel Payment - worth £300 - being axed by The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Households on lower incomes would receive lower gas and electricity bills under plans being considered by ministers. The option of a social tariff for energy bills is being looked at by the government, the newspaper and news website has reported.

The move could be subsidised by energy firms, it reports. i has been told a social tariff is being considered as a medium to long-term option, although no final decisions have been made ahead of the Autumn Budget and fiscal statement on October 30.

READ MORE Martin Lewis' MSE issues 'warning' to UK households with central heating

The health secretary has said he is "not remotely happy" about having to vote to cut the winter fuel allowance for some pensioners. Wes Streeting said he has apologised to his elderly constituents who it will affect, but said cutting the payment from those not on pension credit is essential to balance public finances.

He told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: "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'."

Mr Streeting echoed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's sentiment that it was a "tough choice" but is needed to get the economy back on a stable footing. The health secretary 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."