THE government is scrambling to defend the cut to most pensioners’ winter fuel allowance in the face of rebellion this week.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that his government is “going to have to be unpopular” in an interview with the BBC today as he defended his “tough” decision to cut the payments.

Sir Keir would not say if he would suspend Labour MPs who vote against the plans in Parliament this week.

In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the support — between £200 and £300 a year paid to more than 10 million pensioners — would end for all but the poorest: only those who claim pension credit and other means-tested benefits will receive the payments this winter.

Today, the PM said the cut was needed because of the state of the country’s finances, accusing previous governments of avoiding confronting issues.

And Health Secretary Wes Streeting claimed he is “not remotely happy” on having to vote to take money away from pensioners through the cut.

Some 11 Labour MPs have urged the government to rethink, signing a Commons early day motion which describes the plan as “a bureaucratic and unpopular means test” for pensioners.

Seven of the party’s MPs previously had the whip removed for voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Sir Keir Starmer said whether or not Labour MPs will be suspended from the party for voting against the latest cuts is “a matter for the chief whip.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said he had “real concerns” about the cuts — but added that Labour was dealing with a toxic economic legacy.

He said: “I hope that in the Budget we can see proper support for pensioners and others who might be struggling.”