A Labour frontbencher has been accused of “pointing the finger” at wealthy pensioners amid the ongoing row over cutting winter fuel payments.
Lisa Nandy was questioned on BBC Breakfast over the decision to axe the fuel payment (Image: BBC)
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy appeared on BBC Breakfast today and was asked about the controversial decision to take the £300 cash boost away from about 10million state pensioners.
Going forward, it will only be given to one million on Pension Credit, which critics say excludes too many poor elderly people who are on the breadline.
BBC host Charlie Stayt asked: “Why did it fall so badly with people and have you got it fundamentally wrong?”
Ms Nandy said: “Well, actually, there are mixed views out in the public about the winter fuel allowance. I think most people will accept that the very wealthiest shouldn’t be in receipt of something that costs the country over £1billion a year. I think most people would accept that the very wealthiest pensioners shouldn’t be in receipt of a free allowance.”
Stayt cut in and said: “Sorry, you were pointing the finger at very wealthy pensioners.”
Ms Nandy replied: I’m not pointing the finger at anyone.” Stayt said: “That is the phrase you used.”
Ms Nandy continued: “It’s not a decision that we relish or that we wanted to take. It’s a decision that we’ve made because we were elected on a very clear promise to fix the foundations of the economy. We’ve got a £22billion black hole and the winter fuel allowance was a universal benefit for pensioners.
“And that means that some of the wealthier pensioners were getting a winter fuel allowance. When you’ve got young families who are really struggling with heating bills and others, what we’re doing with the winter fuel allowance is targeting..”
Stayt cut in, asking: “What you’re suggesting is you had to take a broad-brush approach. Do you accept that there will be people within that who are hit much harder? You focused a moment ago on wealthy pensioners. Why are you not focusing on those further down?”
Ms Nandy said: “We absolutely are. That is the focus. So a very small proportion of the poorest pensioners are currently in receipt of pension credit, which would enormously help them with their incomes, particularly this winter. What we’ve done as a government is to have a huge drive to get the up take of pension credit for those who are eligible to the right levels.
“We’ve had over 100% increase in the last month alone. Because of that work in the number of people applying for pension credit, we’ll back date that so if people apply now or they apply this winter. They’ve got until April next year and it will be back dated so they don’t have to worry about putting the heating on. Only a very small proportion of people who are eligible previously applied. The last government did absolutely nothing about that.”
The exchange sparked an angry response on X, with TheCommunitySpace saying: “#BBCBreakfast AGAIN comments about “rich” pensioners & #WinterFuelPayment yet @lisanandy NOT questioned about pensioners who DON’T qualify for Pension Credit but with income LESS than minimum wage⁉THEY ARE NOT RICH, but are AGAIN forgotten‼ WHY⁉ r is that question too hard⁉”
Another said: ”Get those MPs who signed up to scrap the WFA and get them to fill these forms in for all those pensioners who they say can claim it and that’s see how easy that is.” Caz said: “Why didn’t you ask what about pensioners just over a the pension credit, they are the ones been clobbered.”
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State pensioners handed £233 after losing Winter Fuel Payment
State pensioners handed £233 after losing Winter Fuel Payment (Image: Getty)
Thousands of state pensioners are set to receive at least £233 in financial support this winter, despite losing access to the Winter Fuel Payment, thanks to a combination of other benefits aimed at helping with energy costs.
While the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many pensioners in past years, millions will find themselves ineligible for it this year due to changes in the qualification criteria.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the payment, which can amount to up to £300 a year to put towards heating, will only be available to people who receive certain means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit.
However, those who no longer qualify for this support may still be entitled to a range of other payments that could help make up the difference.
Here are three key benefits that, when combined, can total up to £233.
More financial support with energy bills is available for state pensioners. (Image: Getty)
Warm Home Discount – £150
The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off £150 rebate on households’ electricity bills. Eligible pensioners can automatically receive this payment if they’re receiving the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit. They may also be eligible for the support if they receive the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Most qualifying households should expect to receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming their eligibility between November and January.
The payment is then made directly to the household’s energy provider between November and March.
Winter Heating Payment – £58
The Winter Heating Payment is available to people in Scotland who qualify for certain benefits, such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit.
This year, the payment is worth £58.75 and will be distributed in a single instalment between December and February 2025.
Cold Weather Payment – £25 (at least)
Pensioners may also be entitled to the Cold Weather Payment, which provides £25 for each seven days when the temperature drops below zero. These payments are triggered by cold weather conditions and are automatically sent to those who qualify for Pension Credit or other eligible benefits.
This year, the scheme will run from November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
