The Chancellor’s winter fuel payment U-turn will see pensioners on more than £35,000 a year continue to miss out on the payment. In one of the most disastrous moves of the Labour government so far, last year, the Chancellor removed the universal payment to pensioners from anybody earning more than £11,500.
The policy left many of the most vulnerable in society without the vital benefit over the previous winter and was highlighted by Labour candidates in May’s local elections as the biggest issue they faced on the doorstep. Announcing the raising of the threshold, Ms Reeves said: “Targeting winter fuel payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comments section. Can’t see the poll below? Click here
“It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone, including the wealthiest.
“But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out.
“This will mean over three-quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.”
Analysis by More in Common indicates that it is the most well-known and disliked policy of all introduced by the Government during their 11 months in power.
In response to the announcement, the Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch said: “Keir Starmer has scrambled to clear up a mess of his own making. I repeatedly challenged him to reverse his callous decision to withdraw winter fuel payments, and every time, Starmer arrogantly dismissed my criticisms.
“This humiliating U-turn will come as scant comfort to the pensioners forced to choose between heating and eating last winter. The Prime Minister should now apologise for his terrible judgement.”
Independent Age Chief Executive, Joanna Elson CBE said: “We are pleased that the UK Government has listened to the voices of older people on a low income and reconsidered what was an incredibly damaging change to the Winter Fuel Payment. By widening the eligibility criteria, more older people in financial hardship will now receive this vital lifeline in time for winter.
“Our helpline receives thousands of calls from older people making drastic cutbacks just to get by and the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment made this worse. For millions living on low incomes, the entitlement supports them to turn their heating on and stock up on food during the colder months.”