The UK government’s decision to introduce a £35,000 income cap for winter fuel payments will exclude around 600,000 disabled pensioners, according to official analysis. The changes, part of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s revised energy support scheme, aim to cut costs but have drawn strong criticism for disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups.
While the revised policy reversed a more sweeping withdrawal of payments, it still removes eligibility for more than two million pensioners, raising concerns about fairness, particularly for those living with disabilities.
Income Threshold Excludes Thousands Facing Higher Energy Costs
The new £35,000 income threshold will prevent a significant number of pensioners from receiving the annual winter fuel allowance, which can be worth up to £300. According to government analysis, over 25% of the pensioners losing access to the payment are disabled—equating to roughly 600,000 people.
Campaigners argue that the flat income threshold does not account for the extra costs associated with living with a disability. Dennis Reed of Silver Voices, a group advocating for the rights of older citizens, told The Sunday Telegraph: “An annual income of £35,000 is not a king’s ransom… There are usually extra costs involved with having a disability. You might have to heat the house more… or charge medical equipment such as electric wheelchairs.”
The change follows a U-turn by the government, which initially planned to restrict winter fuel payments only to those claiming Pension Credit. That proposal was later adjusted after backlash, leading to a broader but still limited eligibility rule based on income.
Policy Draws Criticism for Inconsistency and Complexity
Concerns have also been raised about the design and fairness of the new scheme. Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), described the new structure as “messy”. According to Mr Johnson, a couple where one partner earns £100,000 and the other £30,000 would still qualify, while a couple where both partners earn £36,000 would be excluded entirely.
Helen Whately, Conservative shadow pensions secretary, called the system “clumsy, complicated and ill-judged”, accusing the Labour government of introducing a “half-baked means test” that fails to address the needs of the most vulnerable.
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson defended the policy, stating that nine million pensioners would still receive help with fuel bills and that the triple lock would ensure an increase of £1,900 in annual state pensions over the course of the current parliament.
The revised winter fuel policy comes at a time of increased scrutiny over public spending, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves facing a projected £50 billion fiscal gap ahead of her second Budget in November.
