Charities cautiously welcome winter fuel payment rethink

Charities have welcomed news that the government will look again at its controversial winter fuel policy.

Since last year, winter fuel payments have been limited to those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

But speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday (21 May), Sir Keir Starmer suggested that the threshold at which the pensioners stop getting payments - currently £11,500 - could be reviewed.

More detail needed, says Age UK

Age UK has cautiously backed the announcement, but said it will “postpone judgement” until it hears more.

“Of course, the devil is always in the detail,” said Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK.

“We will judge the success of any new policy proposals by the extent to which they help vulnerable older people and those on low and modest incomes to be able to heat their homes adequately next winter.”

Ms Abrahams warned that the policy changes announced last summer led to many pensioners on low incomes “missing out on money they simply couldn’t afford to lose”.

This, she said, led to lots of older people being too frightened to turn their heating on when it was cold.

Government must reassure pensioners, insists Independent Age

Sir Keir confirmed that any changes to winter fuel payments would be considered as part of a “fiscal event”.

This suggests that any details on what will change won’t be confirmed before the next Budget.

Independent Age is concerned that this could lead to a “period of uncertainty and anxiety” until details are “clearly announced”.

“Older people on low incomes need reassurance that they will be supported to heat their home next winter and beyond,” said Amy Dodge, the charity’s head of influencing.

“The UK government must provide clarity and act now.  

“We can’t have a repeat of last winter where millions of older people were left in the cold.”