Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to ease cuts to winter fuel payments, in a U-turn following political backlash in recent weeks.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir said ministers would change the threshold to allow "more pensioners" to qualify again.
More than 10 million pensioners lost out on payments, worth up to £300, when the scheme became means-tested last year. The Labour leader said the policy would be changed at the autumn Budget, adding ministers would only "make decision we can afford."
The move, announced shortly after Labour took office last July, led to criticism from unions and pensioner charities. But pressure to change course has grown in recent weeks, with some Labour MPs and councillors blaming the policy for the party's losses at last month's local elections in parts of England.
Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, who introduced winter fuel as a universal benefit when chancellor, said Sir Keir was "right" to reconsider.
However, it remains unclear how many pensioners will regain their entitlement for the payments.