Keir Starmer has been mocked after he claimed his decision to take Winter Fuel Payments away from pensioners was responsible for securing yesterday’s Indian trade deal. The Prime Minister made the bizarre argument during PMQs, when he was being challenged by Kemi Badenoch over the cruel benefits choice.

Ms Badenoch challenged: “Does the Prime Minister now admit he was wrong to remove the Winter Fuel Payment from millions of pensioners.” He insisted that the Government was forced into the decision due to the inheritance left by the previous government. Sir Keir continued: “We’re committed to the Triple Lock, which improved pensions by £470 last year.”

“Mr Speaker, because of the work that we’ve done, we’re a country that countries like India want to do deals with.”

Ms Badenoch quipped: “The only black hole is the one the Prime Minister is digging!”

This claim that India signed the trade deal because Labour cut Winter Fuel Payments was doubled down on by the Prime Minister’s official spokesman following PMQs, who argued countries like India would only sign trade deals with other countries who have stable economies.

Ms Badenoch’s spokesman, who worked with her on the Indian trade deal at the Department for Trade prior to the election, quipped he had no recollection of Indian negotiators making this request to the Tories.

Tory frontbencher Neil O’Brien added: “God help me I am no expert on politics but if I were Starmer's spokesman I would probably not claim that I cut winter fuel payments in order to get a FTA in which I cut tax for migrant workers.”

Political commentator Steven Barrett added: “Our Prime Minister feels able to say any old tosh - he’s an absolute disgrace.”

The LibDems' Treasury spokesman Daisy Cooper said: "It's obvious that cutting the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners was the wrong decision. Instead of digging his heels in, the Prime Minister should apologise and change course."

At PMQs Kemi Badenoch pointed out the growing open opposition to the Winter Fuel Payment cut within the Labour.

She argued: “His mayor in Doncaster says it’s wrong. His First Minister in Wales says it’s wrong. Even his own MPs are saying it’s wrong. Will he at least listen to his own party and change course?”

The Prime Minister hit back: “All the parties opposite would take this country back to where it was a few years ago, broken public finances…"

“NHS waiting lists at an all time high. No other party is prepared to say how they would put the finances straight.”

Just this morning dozens of red wall Labour MPs called on the PM to reverse tact on the policy in order to rescue their electoral fortunes.