Winter Fuel Payment: Pensioners express anger with government
More than one in four pensioners hit by Labour's "disgraceful" axing of winter fuel support are over 80, analysis shows.
The figures have prompted fresh calls for Sir Keir Starmer to U-turn on the controversial decision to strip most older people of the allowance.
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The analysis of the latest data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows some 27% of OAPs who are set to miss out are aged over 80, a total of 2.8 million.
Dennis Reed, director of the Silver Voices campaign group, said: "The scrapping of the winter fuel payment must rank as one of the most disgraceful and immoral decisions ever taken by a Labour Government.
"They are very disturbing figures. It shows that those most in need of the winter fuel payments are going to be clobbered by this policy.
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"The universal payment was ￡300 for everybody over 80 and that higher payment recognised the fact that if you're over 80 you're much more likely to suffer very badly from the cold.
"You do get a few healthier over 80s, thank goodness, but generally speaking the over 80s are frailer.
"They're more likely to have multiple conditions. They're more likely to be isolated, so not getting family support.
"They are probably living on their own because they might be widows or widowers, they've lost their other half.
"And these are the very people that unfortunately are going to suffer very badly this winter."
Mr Reed warned of the impact on the NHS, saying the move was a "false economy".
He added: "They're likely to suffer from respiratory problems and cardiovascular problems, all those medical conditions which are accentuated by the cold weather, which is why they got ￡300 universally paid.
"And I think the other point is that the fact that this money was being paid to the over 80s prevented any of them from going into hospital and a lot of money being spent on them by the NHS. So it's a false economy in that sense.
"The ￡300 kept a lot of people comfortable in their own homes, rather than being admitted to a hospital as an emergency admission and then taking up a hospital bed. So it's crazy economics as well as a very cruel policy."
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Millions of pensioners will miss out on winter fuel payments (Image: Getty)
The analysis by the Liberal Democrats shows the worst-hit constituencies for over 80s losing the payments are Christchurch, West Dorset, and Honiton and Sidmouth.
Lib Dem work and pensions spokesperson Steve Darling said: “It is heartbreaking to think that millions of pensioners are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter.
"I am concerned most about those older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying.
“Cutting these payments for millions of pensioners, many which we know are just barely scraping by, is a step in the wrong direction.
“It is not too late for this new Government to change course, reverse these cuts and get vulnerable pensioners the support they need this winter.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves sparked a furious backlash in July when she announced previously universal winter fuel payments of up to ￡300 would be restricted to only those on pension credit.
She blamed a ￡22 black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied.
The change will see around 10 million pensioners lose out on the allowance and is expected to save around ￡1.3 billion in the first year.
The Government has come under fire for not carrying out a full impact assessment of the policy.
Campaigners will gather outside Parliament next Monday [OCT 7] for a rally against the cuts organised by the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) and Unite the Union.
Jan Shortt, general secretary of the NPC, said: “The NPC is not surprised at this data.
"The critical issue for pensioners is the speed at which this legislation has been put in place with no justifiable explanation.
"The lack of consultation and an impact assessment of the health and welfare of older people makes this the most outrageous policy decision by the new government.
"The weather is already changing with some parts of the country colder than others, so it is crunch time for millions of older people worried about whether they can afford to turn on the heating.
"But it is not too late for the government to do the respectful and dutiful thing - step away from this now and give due diligence to moving forward in consultation with those affected. Let's talk about a decent state pension for all, now and for future pensioners.”
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “The Government’s winter fuel policy needs to be reversed. Picking the pockets of pensioners is not a tough choice - it is a mistake.
“There is no reason why we have to choose between paying workers and keeping pensioners warm. Unite’s retired members are furious and will be making their voice heard.”
Jon Trickett, who was the only Labour MP to vote against the measure in the Commons last month, is set to speak at the protest.
The Prime Minister, who is at the centre of a freebies row over donations and gifts given to him and other senior Labour politicians, yesterday [FRI] insisted the winter fuel payments axe was needed to "stabilise the economy".
Sir Keir said: “We’ve got to take difficult decisions in the Budget in relation to the missing money from the last Government, really tough decisions, like for example, the winter fuel payment, to stabilise the economy.
“Because I’m absolutely convinced that only by stabilising the economy, can we attract the investment that we need in relation to your challenge.”
The PM faced humiliation at Labour's conference last month as delegates backed a motion by unions demanding a U-turn on the plan, although the vote was non-binding.
The Daily Express is campaigning to save winter fuel payments for all pensioners.
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A petition by Silver Voices has racked up more than 100,000 signatures, while another by Age UK has passed 552,000 names.
A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to ￡1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims. Many others will also 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.”