PMQs live: Keir Starmer faces grilling as Rachel Reeves backs winter fuel payments cut

Landlords have warned they may raise rents as a result of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which is aimed at giving tenants more power when renting.

The proposals could include legislation to allow tenants to walk away from deals just two months after moving in, as well as introducing a ban on so-called no-fault evictions in the coming week.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents over 110,000 landlords, warned that, if the policy is introduced, it could lead to an increase in rent prices particularly in city centres and tourist hotspots.

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke has the full story:

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested that the 30 October Budget could see additional cuts to benefits, following the government’s decision to proceed with reductions in winter fuel payments.

The move came after the government defeated opposition MPs efforts to reverse the policy.

When asked about the potential for further austerity measures, the chancellor siad that the Budget will involve “difficult decisions” on taxes, spending and welfare.

She said: “I have been really clear that the Budget on October 30 will require difficult decisions on tax, on spending and on welfare.

“But the prize if we can bring stability back to our economy, if we can bring investment back to Britain, is economic growth, good jobs paying decent wages in all parts of our country to realise the huge potential that we have.

“I am in this job to make Britain better off and we are just getting started on what is needed to turn our economy around.”

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A Labour MP has urged ministers to adjust the winter fuel payment threshold ahead of the 30 October Budget.

The MP for Blackpool South, who abstained from yesterday’s vote on removing the payments for 10 million pensioners, called ministers to assess the issue.

In a lengthy statement on X, he said: “I genuinely believe that adjusting the winter fuel allowance to be means-tested is essential, especially as we face a daunting £22 billion black hole this year.

“What truly weighed on my heart and decision not to support the government was the thought of pensioners potentially facing hardship this Christmas due to a threshold that feels too low and lack of time to get those eligible onto pension credit in time.

“It’s a reality that could push some into poverty, and I cannot stand by without advocating for those who are vulnerable in my hometown.

“I’ve just learned that the threshold is now under review for the upcoming budget, which gives me a glimmer of hope.”

Union leaders have raised “significant concerns” with the government about its policy on nuclear energy.

In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the general secretaries of the GMB union and Prospect said new nuclear development has a key role to play in achieving net zero, underpinning a green industrial strategy and providing good, clean jobs in communities that most need them.

Gary Smith (GMB) and Mike Clancy (Prospect) called on the Chancellor to guarantee the resources the nuclear industry needs to thrive.

They highlighted “worrying” potential cuts by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, saying: “We understand that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is facing severe budgetary pressures, which would result in cuts to high hazard and safety-related activities across the nuclear estate including at Dounreay and Sellafield Ltd. We fear that jobs will be impacted at Sellafield in particular.

“The consequent reduction in the volume of work that can be undertaken will inevitably reduce plant maintenance, accelerating the degradation of assets and bringing cuts to the skilled workforce. As demonstrated in the phase two report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, any dilution of the safety culture must be a red flag.”

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves will not “water down” the decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners despite a revolt by Labour MPs and warnings about the impact it will have on the elderly.

Chancellor Ms Reeves insisted it is “absolutely right” to means-test the benefit, worth up to £300, in order to address the “black hole” in the public finances.

Despite the opposition to the measure, housing minister Matthew Pennycook said there are no plans to scale back the policy.

The plan cleared the Commons on Tuesday with just one Labour rebel voting against it but dozens of MPs on the government benches were missing in action.

The decision means that only those on Pension Credit or some other benefits in England and Wales will receive the payment, saving the Exchequer around £1.5 billion a year.

Mr Pennycook said there will be no U-turn on the policy despite the opposition from campaigners and some in his own party.

The housing minister told Sky News that “all of us took that decision with an extremely heavy heart” but “we’re not going to water down that policy”.

“We think it’s the right decision to make,” he said.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his US counterpart Antony Blinken have arrived in Kyiv.

The pair took an overnight train from eastern Poland and reached the Ukrainian capital at 11.45am local time.

Labour is set to unveil the anticipated Renters Reform Bill in the Commons later today in a bid to enhance tenant security and balance the power dynamics between renters and landlords.

The legislation, which stalled before the July election, is expected to fulfil the government’s promise to ban no-fault evictions, known as Section 21.

Key elements of the bill include an eviction ban for both new and existingtenancies. This measure, inherited from the previous Conservative government will be expanded under the Labour proposals.

The new legislation would introduce the Awaab’s Law, extending protections against hazardous living conditions, named after a toddler who died from mould expsure in a social rented home, to the private rental sector.

This aims to ensure that all landlords address safety issues promptly.

Further provisions would end blanket bans by some landlords on tenants receiving benefits or with children.

Additional reforms include a legal requirement for landlords and letting agents to clearly state rent prices, banning any bids above this amount, and restricting rent increases to once a year at market rates, preventing mid-tenancy hikes.