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A petition calling for the Labour government to reverse its decision on changes to the Winter Fuel Payment has garnered over 260,000 signatures, reflecting widespread concern among pensioners and advocacy groups.
Previously, Winter Fuel Payments were available to all individuals above the state pension age in the UK. However, Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that starting this year, only those receiving means-tested benefits, including Pension Credit, will be eligible for the payment in England and Wales. The Winter Fuel Payments are valued at up to £300, depending on individual living arrangements.
Charities like Age UK have warned that this policy shift could leave millions of pensioners unable to afford to heat their homes this winter. Age UK has launched a petition urging the government to reconsider the changes, which has now amassed over 260,000 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.”
To qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year, individuals need to have been born before September 23, 1958, and be claiming one of the following benefits between September 16 and September 22, 2024:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
In contrast, the Scottish Government has already confirmed the replacement of Winter Fuel Payments with a new pension-age winter Heating Payment, which will be available to all individuals over the state pension age. Northern Ireland has not yet announced if it will follow the same changes to the Winter Fuel Payment.
A government spokesperson addressed the concerns, saying: “This government is committed to pensioners: protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our Warm Homes Plan, and cutting NHS waiting lists – bringing real stability to people’s lives.
“We said we would be honest with the public and, given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, this Government must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy. In these circumstances, it is right that Winter Fuel Payments are targeted at those in most need, and we will work with Local Authorities to boost the uptake of Pension Credit, reaching the many pensioners who could still benefit from this year’s Winter Fuel Payments.”
The petition continues to gather support as pensioners and advocates push for the reversal of these changes, aiming to ensure that all elderly individuals can afford to heat their homes during the winter months.
