More than 450,000 people have signed a petition to cancel Labour's changes to Winter Fuel Payments, which were previously available to anyone in the UK born before September 25, 1957 to assist with heating costs.
Winter Fuel Payments Cut: Thousands Sign Petition Against Change
According to the Treasury the proposed changes would reduce the number of pensioners getting Winter Fuel Payments from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, resulting in just under 10 million missing out.
The change is expected to save £1.5 billion per year. However, Age UK has petitioned the government to reverse the decision, citing the potential impact on millions of pensioners' ability to heat their homes this winter. The petition has currently obtained over 453,000 signatures.
The petition states: “Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision. Millions of struggling pensioners won’t receive up to £300 they rely on to pay their bills.
“We believe as many as 2 million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut: Those on low incomes who just miss out on Pension Credit, those with high energy needs because of disability or illness, the 800,000 who don’t receive the Pension Credit for which they are eligible.
“This cut is happening in England and Wales. In Scotland and NI decisions about the payment are devolved, and not yet clear, but it's likely that the UK Government will no longer provide the money to cover the cost of what pensioners in those nations receive now.
“The Government should halt their proposed change to the Winter Fuel Payment and think again.”
Who Can Receive Winter Fuel Payments this Year?
This winter, only those receiving Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits will qualify for Winter Fuel Payments. If you live in England or Wales, you must be over 66 years old and receiving one of the following benefits to be eligible:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
This implies that if you claim the benefits below, you will not qualify this winter:
- Attendance Allowance
- Bereavement Support Payment
- Carer's Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- New style Employment and Support Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
