Image source, Getty Images

As a reminder for what this is all about, winter fuel payments are paid to all pensioners in the UK to help with their energy bills.

The payment, which was introduced by Gordon Brown in 1997, was based on the idea that older people would be left exposed and at increased risk if they could not pay their bill.

This year, the winter fuel payment totals £200 for those on certain benefits and born before 22 September 1958. For those born before 23 September 1944 and on certain benefits, it is worth £300.

More than nine million pensioners will no longer be eligible for the financial support under the proposed cut.

Read about the payment here, including who is eligible and how to claim it.

Image source, Parliament

The independent MP for Leicester South, Shockat Adam, says the proposal to cut the winter fuel payment will "hit Leicester pensioners harder than most" and is calling for other MPs to vote against the measure.

Leicester is the tenth most deprived local authority in England for "income deprivation affecting older people", Shockat says in a statement.

He says the cut will "drag even more older people into poverty".

"Just a few months ago Keir Starmer and Labour campaigned on a message of change. But this is not the change that people in Leicester or the rest of the county wanted," he added.

As the debate over the winter fuel payment cut goes on, let's go briefly to the news on the state pension, which is expected to rise by 4% in April next year.

This increase is in line with the wages element of the triple lock.

• Under the "triple lock" arrangement, the state pension goes up each year by either 2.5%, inflation, or average earnings growth - whichever is the highest figure

For those who reached state pension age after April 2016, the state pension is expected to go up to £230.05 a week.

And for those who reached state pension age before April 2016, it's expected to go up to £176.30 a week. You can read more about this here.

Image source, Getty Images

As we've mentioned throughout the page, various unions have spoken out over the proposal to cut the winter fuel payment.

• The UK's largest trade union Unite calls the policy "completely wrong". Its general secretary Sharon Graham told the BBC the government should "do a U-turn"
• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary says he's "really concerned" and is calling on the government to "rethink" the decision. He didn't mention the cut during the organisation's annual conference today
• The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents civil servants, is also calling for the government to reverse its decision. General Secretary Fran Heathcote said if the government continues to enact similar proposals, she can imagine "a real backlash that could take the form of industrial action"

Image source, PA Media

Last night Chancellor Rachel Reeves met Labour backbenchers in an attempt to quell dissent about the money-saving move.

In a call for solidarity, Reeves said the blame should fall on "reckless decisions" on public finances by the Conservatives.

She said the government's commitment to the triple lock meant the state pension had risen by around £900 compared with a year ago.

"It is the right thing to do, to target money at a time when finances are so stretched, at people who need them most," she added.

Nathan Williams
Live page editor

We're restarting our live coverage, with the PM due to speak at the Trades Union Congress conference, a day after the Unite union called for a U-turn over the plan to cut winter fuel payments.

Keir Starmer will talk about what he sees as a need to make unpopular economic decisions because of the "crisis we have inherited".

This all comes ahead of the main action in Westminster today, where there will be a debate and then a vote on the plan - which will see millions of pensioners losing out on the payments.

Because of the government's massive majority, ministers will certainly get their way on the plan - but dozens of Labour MPs could abstain in the vote.

Sam Hancock
Live page editor

As we pause our live coverage, we're hearing that Keir Starmer opened Cabinet today by telling his ministers how important "fixing the foundations of our economy" is - and that hard choices must be made in order to do that.

"He said that given the scale of inheritance this would be difficult and that tough decisions are unpopular decisions, but it is the tough decisions that will enable change for this country," a No 10 spokeswoman told reporters.

All eyes will be on Westminster tomorrow when MPs debate - and then vote - on Starmer's plan to withdraw energy bill help from millions of pensioners. He'll win because of his government's majority but it will be interesting to see how many of his MPs abstain, or rebel.

We'll be covering all that live, as well as the reaction, so re-join us in the morning for more. Until then, here are some helpful links:

• You can keep up to date with the latest lines via our news story
• You can remind yourself of the basics via this helpful Q&A
• And you can learn about the help that's available to all billpayers here

This page was written by Rachel Flynn and Thomas Copeland, and it was edited by Matt Spivey and me.

Before we head off, here's how today played out:

• Home Office minister Diana Johnson was accused of misspeaking after saying the Treasury was looking at ways to soften the impact of the winter fuel allowance cut
• The UK's largest union, Unite, said Keir Starmer had opted to "pick the pockets of pensioners" and called for a U-turn on the policy
• Pressure has been mounting on Starmer, but he's still defending the policy, telling the BBC over the weekend and his ministers today that "difficult decisions" must be made to fix the country's finances
• Pensioners shared their mixed opinions on the winter fuel cuts - some say they will be "perfectly fine" but others are worried they'll be left "cold in their homes"

We're going to pause our live coverage soon - but before then let's hear from former Liberal Democrat pensions minister Steve Webb, who's been speaking to Radio 4's World at One programme.

He suggests that in order for targeted winter fuel payments to help the poorest pensioners, a similar scheme to the one used to dish out cost-of-living payments between February 2022-24 should be set up.

Webb, who is now a partner at the LCP consultancy firm, says this could be done in part by basing eligibility on the value of someone's home - which is something money saving expert Martin Lewis has advocated for. This would protect the "vast majority" of the poorest pensioners, but would only raise about a third as much money, according to Webb.

He adds that, for some, no longer receiving the winter fuel payments (up to £300) is the equivalent of losing a week's pension, meaning that many will "have to cut costs":

"Many people would accept taking the winter fuel payments from people financially at the top - but this is taking it away from people pretty near the bottom as well."

Image source, Getty Images

The winter fuel payment isn't the only help out there if you're struggling to pay your bills. Here are some of the other government schemes in place:

• The £500m Household Support Fund,, external which was introduced in September 2021 to help vulnerable households, had been due to end this autumn. But Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has extended this so that it will now run until March 2025
• The Warm Home Discount scheme, external (which we mentioned a little earlier) continues to offer a discount to eligible pensioners and low income households
• And the government's Fuel Direct Scheme, external can help people to repay an energy debt directly from their benefit payments

It's also worth remembering that suppliers must offer customers affordable payment plans or repayment holidays if they're struggling - and most also offer hardship grants.

If you need any other advice, head here.

A bit more reaction for you now, this time from Age UK, the leading charity for older people.

Caroline Abraham, its director, says the winter fuel cut takes "money away from too many people who really need it" and describes the policy as "too mean".

It's "just wrong" that a pensioner will no longer receive this allowance if their annual salary is above £11,500, she tells the BBC's Nicky Campbell, adding:

"The government is not short of options. This is a mistake and the sooner that is understood and responded to, the better for them and the better for older people."

Joshua Nevett
Political reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Keir Starmer said winter fuel payments "are now to be targeted". They were untargeted before, he explained, "and I think everybody thought that wasn’t a particularly good system".

It’s true that the winter fuel payment was a universal benefit, meaning it was paid to all pensioners, regardless of their income or wealth. So the government appears to think targeting the payments towards those on lower incomes is a better use of money.

There are then those on modest incomes who will miss out, with Age UK estimating the policy will mean about two million pensioners "who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it".

But cross-party think tank Social Market Foundation (SMF) has proposed an alternative - expanding the government's Warm Home Discount, external, which offers a £150 rebate for eligible households.

Sam Robinson, a senior researcher for SMF, says doing so would be a better way to "focus on all age groups who might be struggling with energy bills this winter" - and if made more generous, could bring in an extra 1.4 million households.

There's no reason why winter fuel payments "should be going to the well-off people and millionaire households," Robinson adds.

Are 84% of pensioners in poverty going to lose their winter fuel payment?published at 13:17 British Summer Time 9 September

13:17 BST 9 September

By Gerry Georgieva and Anthony Reuben

Shadow House of Commons leader Chris Philp tweeted over the weekend that Labour plan to "strip the winter fuel payment from 84% of pensioners who are living in poverty".

This figure comes from research , externalby former pensions minister Steve Webb, who found that there were 1.9 million pensioners in poverty, of whom only 300,000 were receiving pension credit and hence would continue to get winter fuel payments.

There are a few problems with this - the first being that the research , externaluses figures that significantly understate the number of people receiving pension credit.

Also, you would expect only a relatively small number of people receiving pension credit to be in poverty because that is the point of the benefit.

What the report highlights is the reasons why there are pensioners living in poverty who are not receiving pension credit.

More than half of them are those who are eligible for the benefit but not claiming it but the report highlights other reasons such as those who are still paying mortgages and those renting from a private landlord who find their they have to meet some of their housing costs.

We're continuing to hear from people affected by the government's plan to cut winter fuel payments.

Dawn Matthews, 69, from Hampshire, will no longer receive the payment because her income is £3 more than the required salary threshold.

Speaking to the BBC, she explains that she's "almost 69" and continues to work "literally just to live".

"I work 18 hours for the NHS and work from home. Now I have to sit at home and I feel the cold," she says, adding that she "really" wishes she could retire and that this "payment was what helped me cover my bills".

"I had cancer and my immunity isn’t the same," Dawn says. "Doctors have said what were mild illnesses before could kill me."

• For context: In order to receive the winter fuel payment, pensioners in England and Wales need to have an income of less than £218.15 a week, or £332.95 as a joint weekly income. Their savings are also taken into account.

Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondent

At this point, you may well be wondering what the winter fuel payment is and how hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners can they still receive it. Here are some handy questions - and answers:

How much is the winter fuel payment?

Between £200 and £300, and it's usually paid automatically in November or December.

How is the payment now linked to pension credit?

Most of those who are now eligible for the winter fuel payment will be those on pension credit - a state top up worth thousands of pounds a year. But around 880,000 eligible pensioners fail to claim it every year.

What else do I get with pension credit?

Pension credit is a gateway to other government support, like council tax reductions, a free TV licence and help with NHS costs.

Who is entitled to the payment?

Winter fuel payments have, until now, been paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills. But in July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced it would, moving forward, be made only to those on low incomes who received certain benefits.

While Reeves' decision only covers England and Wales, the governments of Scotland and Northern Ireland have followed suit, both saying they have no choice due to a lack of funds that will be allocated to them.

• Find out more here

That TUC speech (see our earlier post) finished without Paul Nowak mentioning winter fuel cuts in the end - but while he was speaking we continued to listen in to Nicky Campbell's show on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Callers Mike, from Fareham, and Rosie, from Surrey, explained why they agree with the government's decision to cut the allowance.

Mike, a pensioner, says he doesn't need the money while Rosie says her grandma spends it on her family instead.

The row has led to a conversation around pensioners that "isn't helpful when they are considered to all be in one group," Mike says - adding that many of his friends live on comfortable incomes.

He says the prime minister's proposal that "the broadest shoulders should bear the heavier burden" is what should be applied when thinking about how pensioners are treated. His 96-year-old mother receives £1,500 monthly income and will manage "perfectly fine" without the allowance, Mike tells the programme.

Rosie says as long as the most vulnerable are protected, it'd be better if the money was invested in young people - such as improving mental health services.

Will the rise in pensions make up for the loss of winter fuel payments?published at 11:33 British Summer Time 9 September

11:33 BST 9 September

By Anthony Reuben

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "What I can guarantee for the state pension is that the increase under this government will outstrip any reduction in the winter fuel payment".

It is likely that average earnings figures, due out tomorrow, will indeed confirm that the state pension will rise by more than £400 next year, as the BBC revealed last week.

Considering the winter fuel payment is either £200 or £300, the prime minister is right that the increase in the state pension will generally be more than that.

But there are a couple of problems with his claim - the first of which is that the state pension will not rise until April and the £400 will be spread over the following year. Winter fuel payments, on the other hand, are usually made in November or December.

The other problem is that the increase in the state pension is meant to help pensioners with the rising cost of living as a whole, not just coping with the loss of winter fuel payments.

Image source, PA Media

We're now hearing from Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, who's speaking at the organisation's annual conference.

In the lead up to the keynote address in Brighton, it was said that Nowak would stress Labour can't be expected to undo 14 years of Conservative rule overnight.

He told BBC Breakfast over the weekend that he's ''really concerned'' by the winter fuel payment cut - and has called on the government to "rethink" the decision.

We're listening in to the speech to see if he says anything further - you can do the same by pressing Watch live at the top of this page.

Starmer's message to Labour MPs? This is a tough call that must be madepublished at 11:07 British Summer Time 9 September

11:07 BST 9 September

Henry Zeffman
Chief political correspondent

There is no chance of the government losing tomorrow’s vote on the winter fuel allowance.

Keir Starmer has a vast parliamentary majority. This winter, millions of pensioners who previously received the benefit will no longer do so.

But one of the big questions hanging over the run-up to the vote was whether the government would offer more mitigations to the less wealthy pensioners affected - and, politically, to assuage those Labour MPs most queasy about voting for the measure.

Diana Johnson, a Home Office minister who happened to be giving broadcast interviews for the government this morning on knife crime, appeared to show the government’s hand when she suggested that the Treasury was looking at ways to soften the impact of the winter fuel allowance cut, including a social tariff for energy bills.

Awkwardly, within half an hour or so, government sources had walked back those comments, saying Johnson “misspoke”.

It’s not the ideal backdrop to a difficult 36 hours or so of parliamentary wrangling for Labour officials.

But it at least clarifies things. The message from the government to its backbenchers is that this is the sort of “tough decision” they have to be willing to take, and that there’s no turning back.

It's not just unions being asked about the government's plan to withdraw energy bill help from millions of pensioners - MPs have, unsurprisingly, joined in the conversation too.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier, Home Office minister Diana Johnson said the Treasury was looking at ways to soften the impact of the winter fuel allowance cut, including a social tariff for energy bills.

However, the PA news agency reports that government sources subsequently said Johnson had misspoke during the interview. It wasn't immediately clear what Johnson had specifically said that was incorrect.

Here's a snippet of her interview: