Sir Keir Starmer has promised to put "more money in the pockets of working people" in Leicestershire. The Labour Prime Minister said in an exclusive article for the LDRS that he would "not "stop working until every person feels better off, more secure and able to look to the future with confidence". 

His words came as the Government announced that millions more households would receive support towards their energy bills next winter through an expansion of the Warm Homes Discount scheme. Every bill payer on means-tested benefits will now qualify for the cash, the Government has said. This will mean that 160,000 more people in the East Midlands will benefit from the support. 

The announcement follows criticism of Labour over changes to the benefits system. The changes include new Personal Independence Payment rules which will see the allowance targeted "more on those with higher needs by requiring a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria", with an estimated 370,000 claimants set to miss out by 2029-30. 

The Government also came under fire last year after the previously universal Winter Fuel Payment was restricted to just those pensioners who were on benefits and Pension Credit, with the decision described as "callous" by opponents. The Government did a U-turn on this last week, saying it would be available to anyone earning £35,000 a year or less this winter. 

Sir Keir Starmer's message to the people of Leicestershire 

"I know families across Leicestershire are still struggling with the cost of living. I know the stress that brings. I remember growing up, the fear of the postman bringing another bill my family couldn't afford to pay. So, I'm determined to put more money in the pockets of working people across the county, from Coalville to Market Harborough, through this government's Plan for Change. 

"That's why, this winter, we're making sure almost three million extra households receive £150 off their energy bills. Across the East Midlands, 160,000 families will benefit. Every household on means tested benefits, whether in Bosworth or Braunstone, will now qualify for this support, easing the pressures on families this Christmas. And the energy price cap fall next month will also give families extra breathing room. 

"This is about peace of mind. It's about knowing you can heat your home without fearing the next bill. And it's about fairness — making sure support reaches the people who need it most. In the long run, we are investing in cleaner, cheaper British energy. That will reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuels, but it will also create good, well-paid jobs in the UK while driving people's bills down for decades to come. 

"But there's much more to do to support people immediately. We're rolling out free school meals and breakfast clubs across the country – including 16 pilot schemes in Leicestershire – to save parents cash and put children in the best position to learn. 

"We're expanding childcare provisions to support families with their childcare costs, with Fernvale Primary School, in Leicester, set to be one of the first to introduce a new school-based nursery. And we're capping the costs of school uniforms. All of this will save hard working families hundreds more pounds [per] year. 

"In our first year in government, we made the decisions necessary to stabilise the economy and fix the foundations. Now we are moving on to the next phase – driving renewal in every corner of the country, including here in the heart of the East Midlands, putting more money in people's pockets and delivering the security people deserve. 

"We're increasing the minimum wage, giving millions of low-income workers £1,400 extra a year. We've laid the ground for four cuts in interest rates, keeping people's mortgages low. And nine million pensioners this year will benefit from the Winter Fuel Payment, because we have raised the threshold to £35,000. 

"We're only just getting started. There's much more for us to do. But this winter, thousands of families across Leicestershire will feel the difference. That's what this government was elected for, and I won't stop working until every person feels better off, more secure, and able to look to the future with confidence."