The problem with the winter fuel payment is that everyone born before 23 September 1958 is entitled to it. It is a universal benefit. You can be super rich and still have it paid to you. I don’t think that is fair, do you?

Having said that, the way that the new Labour Government has gone about cutting eligibility to the to those who they say actually need it is crude to say the least. By linking the benefit to those on pension credit and certain other means tested benefits it hits many who will just miss out from the cut off amount and may also affect those who spend large amounts on energy bills because they have health issues.

So, clearly given the size of the black hole left behind by the Tories, it is right that something needs to be done, but wading in with something as crude as limiting it just to those on pension credit and other means tested benefits is a bit like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

What is needed is a debate around what do we mean by limiting it to those who actually need it. It wouldn’t have taken a long time to consult on the issue, but by engaging with the public, listening to their concerns, then making an informed decision would have made a very difficult decision far less unpopular and more importantly, far less painful all round.