Pensioners ‘missing meals’ after Labour’s winter fuel payment changes
Pensioners ‘missing meals’ after Labour’s winter fuel payment changes
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Labour changes to the winter fuel payment continue to prove divisive. Thousands of pensioners are missing meals, cutting back on essentials and feeling more cold at home this winter following the government’s changes to the winter fuel payment, a damning new survey has found.
![[Around 9.4 million pensioners are estimated to have lost the winter fuel payment following Labour’s changes]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/17/13/iStock-2180100493.jpg)
Research conducted by trade union Unite has found that over two-thirds of its retired members have had to turn down the heating this year, while a third are taking fewer baths and showers. In the poll over over around 6,000 retirees, 63 per cent said that they had felt cold more often this winter compared to previous years, with 16 per cent saying they have even had to cut back on meals.
Unite representatives say the results show that Labour’s changes to the cold weather benefit were misguided. Members of the union are dropping a banner from Westminster Bridge calling on the government to reverse the cuts and reinstate the payment for millions of pensioners.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our survey shows that pensioners are suffering real-life effects of this needless cut to winter fuel allowance. They are shivering at home, having to go without bathing or without meals. Retirees should be able to live with dignity after a lifetime of work.
“Instead of picking the pocket of pensioners, the government should be looking at a wealth tax that targets the very richest in society.”. Rachel Reeves revealed the change amongst several cost-cutting measures in July last year, designed to plug the £22bn “black hole” in public finances which Labour says was concealed by the previous government.
