More than eight in 10 pensioners will no longer get the up to £300 winter fuel payment but charity Age UK says many of them are already close to or below the poverty line already
Rachel Reeves is being urged to take urgent action to avert a “potential disaster” this winter as a charity warned worryingly high numbers of pensioners are living below or just above the poverty line.
Age UK joined an army of calls for the Chancellor to announce help in this month’s Budget as its analysis laid bare those most hit by the government’s decision to withdraw winter fuel payments from most pensioners. Its research suggests 90% of pensioners – 10.7 million – will lose the payment of up to £300 each, with the vast majority aged over 80 and or disabled. Among those denied the help, 1.6m already live in poverty and another 900,000 are just above the poverty line.
Age UK says the Chancellor most “take action in the Budget to avert a potential disaster for many pensioners this winter”. It is urging the Government to do a U-turn and keep winter fuel payments for all older people, regardless of income.
Failing that, the charity says at the very least the government must bring in measures to expand the numbers who will still receive winter fuel payments by automatically giving it to those receiving Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Personal Independence Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s director, called its findings “stark”. She added: “I think most members of the public will be horrified that this is the outcome of the Government’s decision, because it means that millions of pensioners are being exposed to the risk of failing to be able to stay adequately warm this winter, even though they are living on a low income.”
A petition by Age UK heard from people impacted by the winter fuel payment being cut. They included Pauline, 82, who said: “I am a carer to my husband who has Alzheimer’s and is registered blind. We live in a park home and we need to heat our home day and night in the winter. We will not cope.”
Jill, 80, said: “My husband is terminally ill with cancer, he has a state pension, no work pension and very little savings. I have a very small state pension plus an extremely small work pension. I will have to use my own limited savings to keep my husband warm, leaving me in a financial hole when my husband passes.”
Lib Dem Work and Pensions spokesperson Steve Darling MP said: “We have heard countless stories in recent weeks of pensioners terrified about just making it through the winter without having to choose between heating and eating. This reports lays bare just how frightening these cuts are for so many.
“To push ahead with taking away this support would be a crushing blow for some of the most vulnerable in society and it cannot be allowed to go ahead. The government must change course and get these people the support they need this winter.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We will do everything possible to support vulnerable families this winter – including with the £150 Warm Home Discount expected to support three million eligible households, while around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive up to £300 in winter fuel payments.
“Alongside this, our plans for the biggest potential boost to home energy standards are set to lift one million households out of fuel poverty.”
