BREAKING: Winter fuel payments WILL be available to more pensioners this year says Rachel Reeves

Rachel Reeves has said pensioners should be "in no doubt" that more people will qualify for winter fuel payments by the end of the year.

The Chancellor said public fiances are in a stronger position than they were last July - meaning thresholds can be looked at. Ms Reeves added that ministers had listened to concerns about the controversial policy, which sparked a huge backlash.

Asked by The whether there will be anything on winter fuel payments in next week's spending review, Ms Reeves said: "We've now put our public finances in a firmer position, the economy is in a better shape. We've also listened to concerns."

She said detail is still coming on thresholds, but said the public should be "in no doubt" that changes will be in place this winter.

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She made the remark as she unveiled a huge £15.6billion boost for transport infrastructure in the North and Midlands. The announcement comes a week before her long-awaited spending review - which is expected to include cuts across Whitehall.

In her speech in Rotherham Ms Reeves acknowledged some Government departments will be disappointed. Hinting at disquiet among Cabinet members, she said: "Not every department will get everything they want next week.

"I've had to say no to things I want to do." Ms Reeves went on to blame the Tories for wrecking public services over their 14 years in power. "It's important to have control of public finances," she stated.

But she ruled out ripping up Labour's manifesto to save cash, stating: "We made those commitments in the manifesto and we stuck to them."

It comes amid dire warnings that failing to massively boost police funding could lead to dire consequences. In a letter to the PM, police chiefs including the head of the Met Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) if funding is not ramped up.

Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley joined Gavin Stephens, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Graeme Biggar, who leads the National Crime Agency (NCA), in raising the alarm. They said their workforces will shrink if pay pressures and inflation are not taken into account - with "far reaching" consequences.

In a letter seen by they wrote: “We understand that the Treasury [is] seeking to finalise departmental budget allocations this week and that the negotiations between the Home Office and the Treasury are going poorly.

“We are deeply concerned that the settlement for policing and the (NCA), without additional investment, risks a retrenchment to what we saw under austerity. This would have far-reaching consequences.