Thousands of pensioners stand to lose their winter fuel payments, raising fears of growing fuel poverty. Advocacy groups and MPs are pressing the government to reverse these cuts, warning of the devastating consequences. Will ministers act before the cold winter sets in?
DWP and Labour Urged to Prevent 100,000 Older Brits Losing Vital Winter Aid
By Chourouk Derkaoui
Published on 21 November 2024 14:12
UK the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Labour are being urged to prevent thousands of older people from losing access to the Winter Fuel Payments, which is a vital source of income for older people during the winter months. Reducing this payment could plunge 100,000 pensioners into fuel poverty in the coming years, according to a government study.
DWP Changes to Winter Fuel Payments Could Increase Pensioner Poverty
The Winter Fuel Payment currently gives eligible pensioners between £200 and £300 to help with their heating costs. However, hundreds of thousands of older people who rely on Pension Credit for heating would essentially be excluded from the payment if the proposed amendments were implemented.
An impact assessment by the government suggests that the change could lead to a dramatic rise in pensioner poverty rates between 2026 and 2030.
Growing Concern From Advocacy Groups
Following the proposed revisions, there has been a strong reaction from advocacy organisations and policy professionals. The results were described by Morgan Vine, director of independent age policy, as ‘extremely alarming’, pointing out that older people on low incomes are already having to make difficult concessions to cope with rising expenses.
In order to save money, the pensioners concerned told of sleeping in coats, washing in cold water and heating only one room.
Caroline Abrahams, Director at Age UK, warned of the devastating effects this could have on older individuals, saying the cuts could leave many facing “impossible choices” between food and heating during winter.
Political Pressure to Reverse the Decision
Labour MP and shadow pensions minister Liz Kendall has publicly called for the government to stop the policy change. She emphasized the stark reality of the assessment’s findings and urged ministers to take action to prevent further harm to pensioners.
Charities are pressing the government to maintain broader eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment, arguing that the policy shift would be disastrous for those who narrowly miss the Pension Credit threshold.