Wed, 04 Jun 2025

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 Winter fuel payment U-turn in place this year, says chancellor

Rachel Reeves says more people will get winter fuel payment "this winter", but details over how many will get it remain unclear.
The previous system only paid those on pension credit, with 10 million fewer pensioners receiving the money last year. There were concerns about people whose income was slightly too high to qualify but still needed help with energy costs. Reeves said that people "should be in no doubt" that more will get winter fuel payment this winter, while Sir Keir did not confirm during Prime Minister's Questions how many of the 10 million pensioners who lost the allowance would get it back. Downing Street said it would provide "clarity" on expanding payments as soon as possible. Caroline Abrahams from Age UK said they will wait to see the detail, which needs to be published very soon for changes to be made in time for this winter. Pensions minister Torsten Bell said there would be no return to the previous system where all 11.4 million pensioners received the payment. He mentioned that it's "not a good idea" to pay a few hundred pounds to millionaires, but didn't specify what income level qualifies as a millionaire. Reeves said Labour had "stabilised the economy", which allowed for expanding the number of people receiving the payment. The government has not provided details on who will qualify under the revised policy. The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by the Chancellor after Labour's landslide election victory last year.
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