Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement that he is rethinking the cuts to the winter fuel payments is welcome news, but the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) still wants the allowance reinstated to all older people.
Mr Starmer told Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on May 21 that he ‘wants more pensioners to be eligible for the winter fuel payment (WFP).’
He said ‘the government is looking at making changes to the policy, including the threshold for payments.’
But the actual detail will not be revealed until the autumn financial statement.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the NPC, commented: “NPC has been campaigning tirelessly for the full reinstatement of the universal Winter Fuel Payment, and it looks like this may be a first step towards success.
“But, as always, the devil is in the detail, and the government wants to wait until the autumn before they let us all know what they are actually planning.
“While this announcement is a welcome step, it takes no account of individual everyday living costs and the damage that has already been done over the coldest months of the year.
“Nine million older people lost the universal payment when the government scrapped it in favour of means testing.
“Many have now endured a long winter without this vital assistance, with ever increasing energy bills not to mention the rising costs of food and other essentials.
“The government assumes that because some pensioners appear to have a good occupational pension, they are not in need. But for many millions the £200 to £300 help was the difference between heating and eating.
“The NPC wants to see the reinstatement of the winter fuel payment for all pensioners, and we will continue to campaign for this to happen.”
Rodney Sadd
Crowland
