How winter fuel payments are changing – and what other support is available to pensioners?
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Everything you need to know about the changes to the winter fuel payment. Winter fuel payments will be stopped for millions of pensioners this winter as Labour pushes on with its plan to boost public finances by means-testing the cold weather benefit. The Labour government has been urged to review its decision affecting 10 million pensioners after the regulator Ofgem announced household energy bills will rise by £150 in October.
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the double hit will lead to disaster for pensioners on low and modest incomes or living in vulnerable circumstances due to ill health. Labour now faces a challenge from trade unions over the measure at its annual conference in Brighton. Led by Unite and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), representatives are reportedly looking to force a debate and vote on the cut.
While it would be embarrassing for the government if they were defeated, the vote would be non-binding and so unlikely to force the Sir Keir’s hand. It comes just weeks after the prime minister faced a fresh rebellion in Commons as MPs were granted a vote on the measure. Members voted 348 to 228 to press ahead with cutting the payment, as 53 Labour MPs abstainined and one voted against.
Rachel Reeves revealed the change amongst several cost-cutting measures in July, designed to plug the £22bn “black hole” in public finances which Labour argues was concealed by the previous government. Pensioners have spoken to The Independent about how they face a bleak winter ahead due to the price cap rise and the introduction of means-tested winter fuel payments.
