Keir Starmer has emphasized that making difficult choices, such as reducing the winter fuel payment to save £1.4 billion annually, is essential for rebuilding the UK. He argued that failing to take such actions would merely be "putting a lick of paint over the damp," suggesting that superficial fixes are insufficient for addressing deeper issues. In response, the Prime Minister defended his decisions, including the cuts to the winter fuel allowance, framing them as necessary long-term solutions. He described the approach of making unpopular decisions as part of a broader strategy to "strip down the joint and rebuild the house." This comes as recent polls indicate a decline in his popularity, highlighting the challenges he faces in gaining public support for these measures.