Sir Keir Starmer was locked in a trial of strength with union chiefs demanding a U-turn over limiting winter fuel payments for pensioners. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham directly told the Prime Minister that he should reverse the controversial policy. But Sir Keir was showing no signs of backing down.

Is Sir Keir Starmer right to plough on with cutting the winter fuel allowance?

The UK government will seek to soften the blow of the cut to the winter fuel payment on poorer pensioners, a minister said on Monday, as Sir Keir Starmer tries to allay growing concern among Labour MPs,