Starmer says rebuilding UK means painful decisions, not just ‘a lick of paint’

PM defends choices such as cutting winter fuel allowance as long-term remedies as polls show his popularity falling

Keir Starmer has said painful decisions such as cutting winter fuel payment to save 1.4bn a year are necessary as failure to act would be simply putting a lick of paint over the damp".

The prime minister described the process of taking decisions that aren't going to be popular" as part of a strategy of strip down the joint, rebuild the house".