Martin Lewis slams Labour over Winter Fuel Payment means-testing: 'Unnecessarily punitive!'

In July, Reeves claimed Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Government was committed to addressing the £22billion "black hole" in the public finances left by the Tories and admitted that "difficult decisions" need to be made.

Previously universal, the Winter Fuel Payment provided hundreds of pounds in energy assistance to older households during the winter months but this will now be ringfenced for Pension Credit claimants.

To claim Pension Credit, recipients need to be of state pension age and on low income. The benefit tops up a pensioner's weekly income to £218.15 if they are single. or joint weekly income to £332.95 if they are in a couple.

It is commonly referred to as a "gateway benefit" as eligibility for Pension Credit allows pensioners to access other support, such as a free TV license and now the Winter Fuel Allowance.

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Speaking to Times Radio, Lewis called on the Chancellor to put policies in motion which will allow vulnerable pensioners to access additional support during the winter months.

He explained "If you ask me, do I support ending universality of the winter fuel payment where we’re in tough economic stretches, yes, I support ending universality.

"But do I support a very tight means testing that is also ineffective even for the poorest pensioners? No, I don’t support it. The system that’s being put in place is not fair, is not just, and it is unnecessarily punitive to the poorest pensioners, and it needs tweaking.

"I don't feel particularly optimistic. I think that for some reason the government has nailed its colours to the mask on this one and said ‘we’re doing it’, and I’m worried."

His comments come ahead of today's vote on the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment in the House of Commons later this afternoon.

It is widely expected the motion will pass comfortably despite rumblings of discontent within the Labour backbenches.

Conservative Party leader fronrunners, including Robert Jenrick MP, have came out against Labour axing the benefit for 10 million pensioners.

Before today's vote, Martin Lewis confirmed he was meeting with Reeves to discuss various fiscal issues, including the fate of the allowance.

"About to head off to meet Rachel Reeves at her Commons office - very grateful for her time," he shared.

"On my (long list) to discuss includes Winter Fuel Payments, Carers Allowance, LISAs, Cost of Living and far more.

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"I'm wearing my 'campaigner' not 'journalist' hat when I go in, so won't be reporting on the meeting, as it's far more productive that way.

"My views on these issues are pretty well known though, so it's not hard to work out what I'll say."

A Government spokesman told GB News: "We are committed to supporting pensioners through the triple lock, which means that over 12 million pensioners will see their state ­pensions increase by almost £1,000 over the next five years.

"Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right that we target support to those who need it most. Over one million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment, while many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount from October."