Fri, 30 May 2025

Fri, 30 May 2025 Millionaires shouldn't get winter fuel cash, minister says

Darren Jones says the pension top-up should only be "targeted to those that need it the most".

* Senior minister Darren Jones says millionaires should not be getting winter fuel payments.
* The government plans to target payments at those who need them most, with exact details still to be determined.
* Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backtracked on cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners, but did not provide specifics on how many would qualify or when the change would take effect.
* Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also agrees that "millionaire" pensioners should not receive the allowance.
* Other parties, including Reform UK, Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, are calling for a full restoration of the winter fuel allowance.
* Over 10 million pensioners lost out on payments worth up to £300 last year after eligibility was restricted.
* The government plans to review the income threshold for winter fuel payments in the coming months.
* The current income threshold is £11,800 for individuals and £18,023 for pensioner couples.
* Think tanks suggest that introducing a means-test could create "hassle" for pensioners and would be costly.
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