Ministers facing pressure from unions over winter fuel payment cut

TUC and Unite leaders express real concerns' over policy as many Labour MPs expected to abstain in Commons vote

The government is facing renewed pressure from unions to change course over its decision to strip the winter fuel allowance from the bulk of pensioners, as a minister said she understood why many Labour MPs could struggle to back the policy.

With as many as 50 backbenchers predicted to abstain or be absent when the policy is voted on in the Commons on Tuesday, union leaders reiterated their call for a U-turn as the Trades Union Congress (TUC) gathered for the start of its annual conference in Brighton.