'It will be hard to make ends meet!' Pensioners slam decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payment
Age UK has launched a petition to push the Government to reverse its decision to means-test the Winer Fuel Payment
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Pensioners are speaking out against the new Labour Government's decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment from this year.
Older households will now need to claim Pension Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to access up to £300 in energy bill support in a move that is predicted to impact 10 million elderly Britons.
Despite the allowance being reserved for poorer pensioners, new analysis from Age UK suggests 2.5 million older people on low incomes will be impacted.
This is a higher figure than the charity's previous estimate of two million and suggests the Government will need to take further action to ensure the Winter Fuel Payment is accessible to those most in need.
Notably, this number excludes the unknown number of pensioners with higher incomes who are sick or disabled and who are likely to be hit with unavoidably high energy bills due to their circumstances.
Based on Age UK's analysis of DWP figures, 1.6 million pensioners are living in poverty while an additional 900,000 have incomes just above the poverty line.
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Energy bills are set to rise next month
GETTYAs part of its campaign to get the Government to reverse its decision, Age UK has launched a petition to lobby MPs over the issue.
The "Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners" petition currently has more than 513,000 signatures and is targeting 650,000.
On top of this campaign, Age UK is sharing the testimonies of older people who are preparing to be impacted by means-testing the allowance.
Arnold, 87, reached out to the charity to share how he and his partner will be affected this winter.
He shared: "As a senior couple it will be very hard to make ends meet. As ever week daily living get harder and harder ie food/ gas /electric is getting dearer all the time."
Andrew 69, added: “We are with a housing association in a bungalow with obsolete storage heaters heating.
"Costs during winter are in excess of £380 per month. Currently paying £250 per month to cover winter costs."
“I rely on oil and electric to heat my home and the Winter Fuel Payment is a very welcome help in providing this," Peter, 87, explained.
"I am 87 and partner 81 are losing £600 this year. This a huge loss for those of us who claim no other benefits.”
Catherine, 62, broke down how axing the energy bill support will hurt her in role as an unpaid carer for her 92-year old mother.
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Government data suggest the Winter Fuel Payment being means-tested will have minimal impact on fuel poverty figures but Age UK research disputes this assessment
GETTYShe said: "Our energy bills are high because I have to have heating on a lot during the cold weather because of mum.
"Up to now we have both received Winter Fuel Payment, which has helped enormously during the winter months. It will mean we have to have a very lean Christmas if this is removed from us.”
A Government spokesperson told GB News: "Our focus is on ensuring that those who should be claiming this support are receiving it alongside the wider support for vulnerable households, including the warm homes discount, worth £150, and household support fund to help people with the cost of living and energy bills.
“Over a million pensioners will continue to receive winter fuel payments and through our commitment to protect the triple lock those on the full new state pension will receive an extra £400 – twice the average winter fuel payment.”