Act now to win back Red Wall voters, Labour MPs say

A group of around 45 Labour MPs have called on the government to "act now" to win back voters in northern England and the Midlands.

The Labour Red Wall Group, which represents areas which have traditionally supported the party, said it was not "weak" to respond to issues raised by the public, including concern over axing winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

Calls to rethink the move and other policies including cuts to disability benefits have been growing after a disastrous set of local election results for Labour last week.

On Tuesday the government insisted it would not reverse the winter fuel cuts and it would not be "blown off course" by the "disappointing" results.