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- Charity Age UK says 82 per cent of pensioners facing poverty will lose the benefit
Government cuts to winter fuel payments will hit pensioners the hardest in the South East, Northern Ireland and Wales, according to Age UK analysis.
The 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 starting this winter, the benefit will only be given to those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits, under changes made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Outdoors: Millions of retirees will lose their winter fuel payments this winter
Previously, anyone who had reached state pension age and lived in Britain was eligible to receive the payment.
A total of 11.6 million received the payment last winter, 214,000 more than in 2022/23.
But analysis by Age UK has found that 82 per cent of pensioners living below or just above the poverty line will lose their winter fuel payment this winter.
This includes a large number of people over 80, disabled, living alone and whose income is so low as to place them in this group.
The charity said 10.7 million pensioners will lose this benefit, of whom almost one in four (23 per cent) live in poverty or just above the poverty line.
The number of affected pensioners who are in or near poverty varies by region. The worst affected regions are the south-east, Northern Ireland and Wales, where 86 per cent of the least well-off pensioners lose their winter fuel payment.
Even in the least affected region, the Northeast, 74 percent of retirees who are in or near poverty will lose the benefit.
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 bring forward any mitigation measures, Age UK says it fears for many low-income pensioners this winter. At best, their lives will be distressing and miserable; at worst, your health could be seriously harmed.’
The problem affects men slightly more than women in percentage terms. Some 93 percent of male pensioners in or near poverty (5.1 million) will lose their winter fuel payment, while 87 percent of women (5.5 million) in the same position will lose.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Some people have claimed that the government’s cut in eligibility for the winter fuel payment means there is no cause for concern because poor pensioners will still be protected, but the Assessment Age UK’s Equality Impact Program pushes a coach and horses through that claim.
“Unfortunately, the research supports our worst fears – that unless ministers change course, and quickly, millions of older people on low and modest incomes could face potential disaster as the climate cools.”
Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling said: “We have heard countless stories in recent weeks of pensioners terrified of going through the winter without having to choose between heat and food.” This report lays bare how frightening these cuts are for so many people.
“Going ahead with the withdrawal of this support would be a huge blow to some of the most vulnerable in society and this cannot be allowed to go ahead.”
Age UK urges any older person living on a low income or struggling with their bills to contact the Age UK free advice line on 0800 678 1602 to check they are receiving all the financial support available. The lines are open from 8 am to 7 pm, 365 days a year. Alternatively, people can visit the Age UK website or contact your local Age UK for information and advice.
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