Ipswich's MP has backed the government's U-turn on winter fuel payments - nine months after voting for cuts to the scheme.
After months of speculation, the government has confirmed it is expanding the scope of the winter fuel payments, meaning any pensioner with an income of up to £35,000 a year will be eligible for the full allowance.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has welcomed the announcement, saying it helps ensure support goes to those who need it most.
However, Mr Abbott was among the 348 MPs who, only nine months ago, voted in favour of the cuts.
He said: "I welcome the announcement expanding eligibility for winter fuel payments.
"The decision to means-test the payments was tough but necessary - to stabilise our public finances and make the system fairer.
“A number of people have contacted me and other MPs to say the eligibility should be widened, and I am really pleased the government has listened.
"Thousands more pensioners in Ipswich will now get extra help this winter, alongside the 4.1% pension rise from the triple lock.
“Politics should be about fairness, listening, and making sure support goes to those who need it most. That is exactly what this change delivers.”
However, back in September, Mr Abbott had voted in favour of the cuts - adding that he wanted the winter fuel payments to go to the poorest pensioners.
He had, however, said that it was not a decision he wanted to make so soon after being elected, but instead, he spoke about how the previous government had lost control over government finances, especially during the time of previous Prime Minister Liz Truss.
He had previously said: "This is certainly a decision that I did not want to make after being elected, but, given the circumstances, I believe it to be the right course of action.
"The previous Conservative government left our new Labour administration with the worst inheritance since the Second World War.
"Their unfunded spending commitments left a £22billion black hole in the public finances, which they previously looked to cover up."
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