Labour axed universal winter payments for pensioners (Image: Getty)
The lives of older people are in danger because the Government axed universal winter fuel payments and this “huge mistake” must not be repeated next winter, campaigners have warned.
Independent Age is calling on the Government to “urgently review” the threshold at which the payments can be made so older people do not die from the cold.
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Director of policy Morgan Vine said the charity was “extremely worried” about the welfare of older people who “cannot afford to turn their heating on” during the present cold weather.
He said: “The cold snap lays bare the huge mistake made by the UK Government when it tied the winter fuel payment to pension credit. Far too many older people on low incomes will fall through the cracks and could now be living in freezing cold homes, which can be damaging to your health, and in some cases, life threatening.
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“We are urging the UK Government to recognise the desperate situation older people in financial hardship are facing and urgently review the threshold which qualifies people for the winter fuel payment, history cannot be allowed to repeat itself next winter.”
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Age UK has also pushed for change.
Director Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK warned of a “disaster”, saying: “The Government’s decision to slash entitlement to winter fuel payment has been a disaster for many older people. Making it available only to pensioners who receive pension credit has left millions of the poorest and most vulnerable unprotected this winter.”
She said a “partial solution” would be to automatically give the payments to “older people receiving housing benefit, council tax support, personal independence allowance, attendance allowance and carers allowance”.
Ms Abrahams added: “The current cold snap should be coming to an end in the next few days but winter is far from over – it is still very cold and icy and admissions to hospital are soaring for people with flu and breathing problems. Being chronically cold is terrible for older people’s health and is why the winter fuel payment really matters: it gives older people the confidence to run their heating and stay warm.”
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A Government spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to ￡1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock. All eligible claims to Pension Credit can still be backdated by three months and is worth on average ￡4,200 so we continue to urge everyone eligible to apply.
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“Many households will benefit from the ￡150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “The Health Secretary is telling pensioners to put the heating on, but this is not an option for many vulnerable people who have seen their Winter Fuel Payment snatched away by the Labour Government. As the cold weather continues to hit the UK, Labour must explain why they refused to listen to their own advisory group to expand eligibility for the payment this year.
“At the end of the day, it is the most vulnerable pensioners who are paying the price of Rachel Reeves’ choices and Labour’s refusal to listen.”