A THIRD of Brits believe winter fuel payments should be restored to all pensioners, according to a new survey. 

The new YouGov poll shows just 7 per cent back the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s policy to restrict eligibility to those on pension credit, echoing the feedback from council elections earlier this month which put the issue central to Labour’s rout.

Bruised by those results, Sir Keir announced this week he would “look at” widening eligibility, a policy supported by 44 per cent of those polled, while 33 per cent supported a return to universal payments. 

The survey came as the PM hosted the Council of Nations and Regions with devolved leaders in London yesterday, to extol the benefits of his recent deal with the EU which he argues will “deliver long-term security.”

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Scottish First Minister John Swinney called for a full restoration of the payment as part of a UK-wide mission to raise living standards.

He said: “People across the UK are living through a period of huge uncertainty and, for some, that is undermining the trust they have in government.

“Cutting the winter fuel payment saw the UK government breaking promises and removing vital financial support for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“Having effectively conceded the argument by announcing a partial U-turn, the Prime Minister should accept the cut was wrong and restore a universal winter fuel payment.”

Mr Swinney added: “I will raise this issue with him alongside other critical issues, including our proposal for a Scottish graduate visa, carbon capture and what impacts recent trade deals will have on Scottish producers and businesses.”