No 10 resists Labour calls for winter fuel rethink

The government has insisted it will not reverse cuts to winter fuel payments, despite growing calls within Labour ranks for a rethink on the policy.

Calls within the party for the cuts to be abandoned have grown louder in the wake of losses at last week's local elections in England.

But Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman told reporters there "will not be a change to the government's policy".

He insisted last year's move to restrict eligibility for the annual payments was required to "ensure economic stability and repair the public finances".

It comes after the Guardian reported ministers were considering softening the effect of the cuts later this year.