Sir Keir Starmer has denied his government's U-turn on winter fuel payments was a result of political pressure, instead arguing it was possible because of an improved economy.
Speaking to Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2, the prime minister defended last year's decision to withdraw the payments from all but the poorest pensioners, saying that he had to take "difficult" action to fix the UK's "broken" finances.
He said "better growth" in the UK meant he could now extend the payment, worth up to £300 a year, to more pensioners this coming winter.
Although the country's economic growth was better than expected in the first quarter of 2025, analysts expect it to slow in the coming months.
Last July, the government announced it would be taking away the payments from more than 10 million pensioners.
It meant that last winter only those receiving pension credit or another means-tested benefit were eligible – an estimated 1.5 million individuals.
However, following pressure from charities, unions and the party's own backbench MPs, the Labour government announced it would partially reverse that decision, expanding eligibility to more than three-quarters of pensioners.
Under the revised policy, nine million pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less will get the payment this winter.