Regions where cuts to winter fuel payments will have the biggest impact are revealed
- Charity Age UK says 82 percent of pensioners living in poverty will lose benefits
Government cuts to the winter fuel payment will hit pensioners in the South East, Northern Ireland and Wales the hardest, according to Age UK analysis.
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual benefit worth between £100 and £300, aimed at helping pensioners with higher energy bills in the colder months.
But from this winter the benefit will only be given to those receiving a pension credit or other means-tested benefits, under changes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
In the cold: Millions of retirees will lose their winter fuel payments this winter
Previously, anyone who had reached state pension age and lived in Great Britain was eligible for the benefit.
A total of 11.6 million people received the payment last winter, an increase of 214,000 compared to 2022/2023.
But an analysis by Age UK shows that 82 per cent of pensioners living below or just above the poverty line will lose their winter fuel payment this winter.
This includes large numbers of elderly people who are over 80 years old, disabled, live alone and whose income is so low that they are included in this group.
The charity said 10.7 million pensioners will lose this benefit, with almost one in four (23 percent) living in poverty or just above the poverty line.
The number of affected retirees who are in or near poverty varies by region. The worst hit regions are the south east, Northern Ireland and Wales, with 86 per cent of the least affluent pensioners losing their winter fuel payments.
Even in the least affected region, the Northeast, 74 percent of retirees living in or near poverty will lose benefits.
Age UK wants the government to keep the winter fuel payment as a universal benefit for pensioners, or at least give it to more pensioners on lower incomes.
A statement from Age UK said: ‘If the Government refuses to propose any mitigation measures at all, Age UK says it fears many low-income pensioners will be affected this winter. At best their lives will be anxious and miserable, at worst their health could be seriously undermined.’
In percentage terms, the problem affects slightly more men than women. About 93 percent of male retirees living in or near poverty (5.1 million) will lose their winter fuel payment, while 87 percent of similarly positioned women (5.5 million) will lose out.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said: ‘Some people have argued that the Government’s cut to the right to winter fuel payments means there is no cause for concern as poor pensioners will still be protected, but Age’s Equality Impact Assessment UK drives a coach and horses through that claim.
‘Unfortunately, the research supports our worst fears: that unless ministers change course quickly, millions of older people on low and modest incomes could face potential disaster as the weather turns colder.’
Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling said: ‘We have heard countless stories in recent weeks from pensioners terrified of making it through the winter without having to choose between heating and food. This report makes clear how frightening these cuts are for so many.
“Continuing to remove this support would be a crushing blow to some of the most vulnerable in society and this cannot continue.”
Age UK is urging any older person on a low income or struggling with their bills to contact Age UK’s free advice line on 0800 678 1602 to check they are receiving all available financial support. The lines are open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Alternatively, people can visit the Age UK website or contact their local Age UK for information and advice.
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