Labour ministers reveal grave concerns about winter fuel payment cut

Rachel Reeves will address Labour MPs on Monday evening, the day before a vote on the policy. Photograph: Sam Frost/The Guardian

Cabinet ministers have grave concerns about Rachel Reeves’s plan to axe the winter fuel allowance for all but the poorest pensioners, the Guardian can reveal.

Frontbenchers believe the government will have to announce extra support in the budget or even earlier to cushion the blow for some of the people worst affected by the cut.