Ed Miliband says Reeves deserves credit for winter fuel payment U-turn

Ed Miliband said Reeves was right to change course but denied the government was wrong to take the initial decision. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/Treasury

Rachel Reeves deserves credit for her U-turn on winter fuel allowance, Ed Miliband has said while denying that it was wrong to make the initial cut.

The Treasury announced on Monday that it would restore the allowance to all pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less a year, amid public outrage over the cut, which was the first act of the Labour government. Reeves had previously removed the benefit from all but the poorest pensioners – those on pension credit.