An older lady ill in bed (Image: Getty)
Campaigners have slammed the Government for stripping 44,000 terminally ill pensioners possibly facing “their last Christmas” of the winter fuel payment.
The stark figures, uncovered by end-of-life charity Marie Curie, have reignited demands for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to restore the up to ￡300 payments snatched from millions of pensioners.
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Dr Sam Royston, executive director for policy and research at Marie Curie, said: “For people who claim benefits under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, this may very well be their last winter and Christmas.
“We know that energy costs can increase dramatically after a terminal diagnosis, yet the decision to restrict the winter fuel payment only to people receiving means-tested benefits takes no account of this.
“The festive season is meant to be one of warmth, joy, and celebration. No one should have to face their final days worrying about money or whether they can afford to heat their home or even switch on Christmas lights.
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“The government should urgently rethink this decision, and take further steps to support people at the end of life with energy costs, including by introducing a social tariff.”
The statistics were obtained through a Freedom for Information request which asked for the number of people claiming multiple benefits under the government’s Special Rules for Terminal Illness, against those not in receipt of Pension Credit.
Ms Reeves announced earlier this year that the cash would be restricted to all but the poorest pensioners – those eligible for pension credit.
Marie Curie estimated that energy costs can double for dying people because of the need to constantly heat homes to provide relief from pain and to operate life-sustaining medical devices.
This follows a recent report by the charity which shows the number of people dying in fuel poverty is 128,000 each year – more than one in five of all people who die.
Helen van Bueren, 77, from Derbyshire is one of those who has lost her Winter Fuel Payment.
The Derbyshire local has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer which affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow
She said: “When the cold starts to creep in, my feet turn white, go numb and stop working completely. I can’t feel anything. I fumble, I drop things and there are walking sticks scattered all over the house in case I fall.
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“The cold is crippling. It seeps into your bones and sits there. It consumes you. With each year that passes, I feel myself fading a little more. I’m just over the limit for pension credit so I won’t get my winter fuel allowance anymore and I do wonder if I will see the other side of this winter.”
The Daily Express has demanded that Labour reverses its decision to strip pensioners of the winter fuel payment.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “This warning is yet more evidence that it is the most vulnerable who will suffer as a result of Labour’s political choice to cut the Winter Fuel Payment and plunge 100,000 pensioners into poverty.
“As the grim outcome of Labour’s decisions become clearer, we will continue to hold them to account for failing to support those who need it most.”
Esther McVey MP said: "These figures are deeply shocking and thoroughly disturbing. For Labour to continue with this policy, knowing terminally ill pensioners will suffer, reveals the callousness of this government. Surely they cannot pursue this policy knowing the suffering it will cause the most vulnerable."
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Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age said: “Marie Curie’s findings reiterate that the UK Government’s changes to who receives the winter fuel payment will have a very negative impact on a number of different groups of older people living on a low income, including those with long term conditions and disabilities who are more likely to experience poverty in later life.
“It is clear that pension credit is not the right way to target winter fuel payment, as its low uptake will leave many different groups in financial hardship. That’s why we are calling on the UK Government to not make this policy change now. It is clear that this is too far, too fast."
A Government spokesman said: “No one should suffer financial hardship because of a health condition – that’s why special rules are in place to ensure those nearing the end of their life get faster, easier access to certain benefits, in most cases at the highest rate.
“We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to ￡1,900 this parliament. Over a million pensioners will still receive a Winter Fuel Payment, and many others will also benefit from the ￡150 Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments this winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”