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host Christopher Hope expressed frustration towards on the afternoon of Monday, June 9th, after the Chancellor unexpectedly reversed her decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners. Hope described Reeves's actions and the Labour government's approach as "embarrassing" and called for her to apologise to all those affected by the political "hokey cokey."

He said: "You are taking £300 last year away from pensioners, you are giving it back in 2025. It is a humiliating U-turn. Do you want to apologise to millions of pensioners? Who have been so upset from the cut last year?" Reeves responded: "We had to make difficult decisions last year. The public finances were in a total mess when I became Chancellor."

She continued: 'We had to take immediate action to take control and get a grip of the public finances. We have been able to do that and return to stability. In the first half of this year, our economy was the fastest growing in all of the G7, which means we are now able to make different decisions.

"That's why today I can announce that nine million pensioners will receive winter fuel payments this winter."

However, Hope was not satisfied with Reeves' justification for the U-turn, as he questioned why she gave "no apology" after many pensioners experienced turmoil when it was announced last year that fuel payments would be cut in the winter months.

The GB News host retorted: "You are not saying how you are going to pay for it. You are saying it will be discussed at the budget in the Autumn. Are you creating your own black hole? The one you attacked the last government for. I mean, yes or no, will taxes have to go up?"

Reeves evaded the question, tactfully replying: "We will set out all of the policies in the budget."

In the comment section below the footage, viewers expressed anger as they called the announcement "too little, too late". One wrote: "Just more gaslighting and lies." Another responded: "No apologies, no confirmation of taxes not being raised. She is learning well with Starmer." A third commented: "The public finances were in a mess last year???!! How are they looking now with increased public spending and massively reduced tax receipts from all the millionaires who have fled the country? They are incompetent liars; it's just a farce at this point."

The winter fuel payment will now be paid out to every pensioner again, and then recouped from two million pensioners with incomes over £35,000 through the tax system.

The Treasury at the time stated that it was seeking "in-year" savings within the same fiscal year to offset some shortfalls in the public finances.