Labour reviews pensioners’ benefits

Mr Miliband said he wanted a “recovery made by the many” and there was a “different way forward for the economy” in contrast to the Government’s austerity agenda.

But pressed on his spending plans and commitment to welfare reform, Mr Miliband said Labour’s policy review would examine benefits such as the winter fuel allowance which go to all pensioners, including the rich.

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith has encouraged wealthy elderly people to hand back the payments and forgo other perks such as free TV licences.

Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “We are supporters of the winter fuel allowance and those other benefits, we introduced them when we were in government.”

But he added: “Of course in our policy review we will look at all these issues.”

The Labour leader acknowledged “the welfare system has got to change” but said his party’s compulsory jobs guarantee would help tackle unemployment, a major driver of benefits spending.

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