Keir Starmer has pledged to restore winter fuel payment - but for how many pensioners?

PM Keir Starmer has just backtracked on Labour's first big policy decision. It really is a .

The decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners on 29 July was shattering.

It showed us exactly what this new Labour government was about. Reeves seem to relish stripping 10 million pensioners of vital support worth up to £300 every winter.

She thought it showed she could make tough decisions. But she wasn't prepared for the backlash.

While many wealthy pensioners don't need the money, around two million who are just above the poverty line desperately do need it.

The move became symbolic of a government (and Chancellor) that didn't get it.

Now it looks like . But pensioners shouldn't celebrate just yet.

As we have learned to our cost, you have to watch what Sir Keir says very, very carefully. He's a lawyer, after all.

So what did he say?

Asked by a Labour MP in the House of Commons during today's PMQs what measures he will take to help struggling pensioners, replied: "As the economy improves we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their lives going forward."

He then added: "That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward, more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments."

"More pensioners." Not all pensioners, as was the case before. Just "more".

How many more, Sir Keir didn't say. One more? Two more? One million more? All ten million?

We just don't know.

The winter fuel payment isn't that expensive in the general scheme of things. It costs just £1.5billion a year but the symbolism is huge.

So Labour could afford to restore it for all. Individually means testing the payment so that only some pensioners get it might be an option.

But means testing would be hugely complicated. Whitehall's stone age computer systems would collapse. So maybe every pensioner will get it.

Having raised their hopes, they'll be furious if they don't. The next question is when?

Back to Sir Keir. He went onto say: "As you would expect, Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford. That is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event."

Most people will assume that means Reeves's autumn Budget, which is the only big fiscal event I'm expecting this year.

It would also allow Labour to restore the winter fuel payment, just before winter, when it's paid.

And since the Autumn Budget is likely to include a heap of bad news, this could at least give Reeves one positive thing to say.

Even if it's in the shape of an embarrassing U-turn.

Until then, we'll be on tenterhooks. Unless Sir Keir is a total liar, it really does look like the winter fuel payment is back. But most pensioners won't believe it until it hits their bank account.