内容摘要：Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is arming clans in Gaza that he says are opposed to Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is arming clans in Gaza that he says are opposed to Hamas.

The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by the chancellor after Labour's landslide election victory last year.The practicalities of changing the system again are complicated. One option would be a system in which people on certain incomes can make a claim.

Clawing back a payment via the tax system for those on higher incomes is another possibility.The government has yet to outline which mechanics it intends to use to enact its change of policy.In Scotland, ministers have already

. Those in receipt of qualifying benefits like pension credit would get the payment as before, while others would get £100.The funds - which are limited to one payment per household - will be paid through a new Scottish Parliament benefit, which will not be ready until late 2025.

The confirmation that more people will receive winter fuel payments this winter comes ahead of the UK government's spending review, which will be announced on 11 June.

The review will outline day-to-day departmental budgets over the next three years and investment budgets over the next four.In a social media post on X he said: "Netanyahu is a threat to Israel's national security. Instead of bringing about a deal...bringing the hostages home and providing security for Israeli citizens, he is creating a new ticking time-bomb in Gaza".

A long-running strike by bin workers in Birmingham could last until December, according to union Unite, after members voted to continue industrial action in a dispute over pay and jobs.The union said on Wednesday that 97% of those who voted backed continued strike action, on a 75% turnout.

"The decision makers at Birmingham council need to get in the room and put forward an acceptable offer," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, warning strikes would continue for "as long as it takes".A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said it had made a "fair and reasonable offer" and that it remained committed to resolving the dispute.