The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a controversial policy change that will see more than 760,000 older households deprived of their £300 Winter Fuel Payments, even though they are entitled to it. Both politicians and pensioner advocacy groups have severely criticised the disclosure, which has been subtly revealed by revisions to the guidelines.
Winter Fuel Payment Cuts Spark Growing Outrage Among Pensioners
This significant change came about when the government, led by Labour since July, made the Winter Fuel Payments a means-tested benefit. The policy is designed to plug a £22 billion budget deficit left by the previous administration.
To qualify, households must claim Pension Credit, a benefit many low-income pensioners do not currently receive due to a lack of awareness or difficulty navigating the application process.
Critics argue that the changes will disproportionately affect older people on low incomes, many of whom already struggle to afford heating in the winter months. The government estimates that 120,000 additional households could claim Pension Credit as a result of its publicity campaigns. However, projections also suggest that 50,000 pensioners a year could fall into financial hardship as a direct result of the policy.
Poverty Among Pensioners Set to Rise
The DWP’s analysis suggests that the proposal could push 200,000 pensioners into relative poverty by the end of Labour’s first term. However, rising energy prices and limited access to the Winter Fuel Allowance could force some people to choose between heating and other necessities.
Despite these alarming forecasts, Labour remains optimistic. DWP Chief Liz Kendall has emphasized efforts to increase Pension Credit take-up, which averages £3,900 annually for claimants. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the move at the G20 Summit, stating, “Stabilizing the economy ensures pensioners will be better off in the long run.”
An Economy-First Approach, or a Gamble?
The government estimates the changes will save £1.4 billion a year, but at what cost? Advocacy groups warn that the policy risks exacerbating the financial insecurity of vulnerable pensioners. Fuel poverty, already a pressing issue in the UK, is likely to worsen as temperatures drop, and fewer older adults qualify for previously universal support.
The question remains: does this economic gamble prioritize fiscal health over the immediate needs of the nation’s elderly? As winter approaches, the ripple effects of this decision will soon be felt, making it a defining test of Labour’s economic policies and their real-world consequences.
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My husband and I are in our seventies. We are just £13 over the limit for Pension Credit and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment.
Those.on Pension Credit receive no only the WFP but also free dentistry, much cheaper glasses, lower or free Council Tax etc etc.
Who are the poorer pensioners those who are eligible for Pension Credit and the extras or the likes of us who have to manage on £340 a week?
Because pensioners will die in very cold weather which is what this government wants
Could some one tell me why a person on pension credit is better than a normal pensioner .
That’s a fact when you look at government Web site
Disgusting what starmer is doing to our elderly.
We need to get independent so Scotland will deal with us and it stops England from telling us what to do and say Scotland needs to stand up and getting them away from us
What’s worrying me is the amount of fatalities there will be. This last cold snap was nasty but say we got another beast from the east… God only knows what will happen
I think it’s an attack on pensioners and every pensioner should be signing age UK petition I get state pension but won’t be getting winter fuel allowance government need to reverse it’s decision I’m 68 i feel the cold more now than ever .
I got no notice the retirement age was going up now they’ve cut winter fuel allowance whatever next
The pension is earned so is an entitlement. The winter fuel payment is not earned it is an allowance & should always have been means tested. As for those that moan about being a few pounds over the threshold, well that’s the same for all means tested benefits or benefits with earning limits – ask the mum of a disabled child who earns 1p over the earning limit & loses her Carers Allowance. Also the figure £300 is misleading. That is a maximum for those over 80yrs. Also the WFP is per household not per pensioner.
This is bordering on real discrimination on people who have contributed to the revenue over many years. Which WILL lead to many deaths due to cold. Shame on you Labour
Enjoy this term but as I believe it will be your last. Hopefully
Yes it’s shocking all pensioners should get the same it’s criminal to have a 2 tier pension system it needs an overhaul a.s.p…
Luckily my husband and I don’t need winter fuel payment, only because my husband gas paid into private pensions, but not all people were so lucky to be able to and are just above threshold. Keir Stammer says in the long run pensioners will benefit ABSOLUTE RUBBISH!! what about NOW when they need it the most.
The Labour Party must dispice OAP my house today 12.5 degrees today True wife had cancer in eye bandages £4 a day True +lots lots more expense hopefully me not long left so not proud to survive in UK
Yes we know some people it won’t make a difference but a lot of us on only a small pension just enough to lose that little bit of help before the cold weather really kicks in to budget for a few months
I worked all my life from the age if 15 until retirement, I am just over the limit to apply for Pension Credit. I’ll freeze to death.
Rachel Reeves put a £3,500 fuel bill in for her 2nd home on the SAME day that she stitched up us pensioners. WHY isn’t pip counted towards the wha and warm discount? Us disabled are yet again stitched up by LIEBOUR.
I am 75, just over the limit, and I will not get heating allowance. I have worked since I was 16 and retired at 72, what does that count for, absolutely nothing, it feels like they want to get rid of pensioners. No point in saying we will be better off in the long run, as we needn’t now or we won’t be here.
Very disappointed with labour, and no I did not vote for them.
I am £4 over the threshold for the winter fuel allowance and the warm heating discount and I will also say I don’t need it BUT why should people who can’t be arsed working get it, they get every bloody handout going, no wonder they sit on their backsides. Labour have stated they want to make Britain work, well start with the unemployed and make them work. DO NOT SINGLE OUT PENSIONERS WHO HAVE WORKED ALL THEIR LIVES. THEY ARE ENTITLED TO IT
The Labour Party gave millions of pounds to the unions when they took office, far more important than elderly, vulnerable, pensioners, shame on them for abandoning the elderly.
Assisted dying is what it is called. By stopping heating allowance you are killing pensioners
Could it be because a lot of pensioner’s never vote Labour,pay back time
DO IT MEAN THOSE IN PARLIAMENT STOP GETTING THE WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS.
LABOUR NEED TO REMEMBER LABOUR FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE PENSIONERS WILL REMEMBER COME VOTING TIME.
Absolutely disgusting what theve done to us pensioners I’m £3.05 0ver eligibility
I am 80 years old in two weeks and worked form 15 years old to 77 and have only the state pension hopefully I won’t have to last many more years.
We both have health problems as pensioners my husband has to have the heating on .If the goverment have up their large allowance for heating and other things there would not be a shortage for pensioners. How selfish and greedy is the goverment.No other job pays bills on top if wages so why should the goverment have it.They are there to do a job for the people not get greedy
Labour are not worried over pensioners as a majority of them won’t be with us for the next election. They will either die of old age or die this winter with Hyperthermia due to not being able to afford heating costs. Labour are investing in the Unions who they have given rises without even negotiating with as they are their future voters.
General Election required as Labour came into power under pretences. Danny Beales spineless.
I am 75, when younger I did what the government at the time said we should do, take out a private pension. That pension now puts me £3 over the “allowed income” figure according to the web site. If I had not done that I could have been claiming Pension Credit for years now and be much better off. Why did I do what the government asked?
If there’s an imaginary black hole then why give over 8 billion to foreign country’s they should be sorting our own country out and look after our own not hit the folk who have paid in all their lives like they say charity begins at home .they need a vote of NO CONFIDENCE
I’m 77 worked all life since I was 16 and served in the armed forces.
During the war Hitler killed over a million Jews, is Labour doing the same thing with older generation, disabled people and farmers who we rely on for food or is it a form of genocide like Hitler introduced.
While Labour are sitting in their homes with heating, electric and food they don’t seem to care about anybody as long as they are alright so I say get rid of them and and in a government that cares for the people, and I hope the people who voted Labour are regretting lt now.
This government needs out they want pensioner dead so they donot have to pay them pension we work all are life’s and payed are tax and insurance stop taking away from the old get rid of illegals that are in warm hotels then you could get winter fuel back you are a disgrace to be called are prime minister out of number 10
We as a Country owe more than a Trllion pounds.Even if they make the 22 Billion s savings (doubtful) We will still owe over a Trillion pounds.Please don’t take us for fools.We can count.22 billion in the face of it is negligible as we are already spending more on Ukraine at this minute.
Starmer is thinking freeze the oap’s to death will save the government even more money. The politicians shouldn’t have subsidised meals and alcohol that we the public are paying for. Politicians are so greedy and they have much more money than the regular worker.
Labour should be ousted if they stated what was going to happen if they were voted for they would not be in charge now I’m never going to vote Labour, Reform is the better option