Mon, 09 Jun 2025

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 'It will make a lot of difference': Reactions to winter fuel payment U-turn

Pensioners react to the government's decision to change the eligibility rules for winter fuel payments.

* Over 9 million pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less will receive the winter fuel payment this year.
* The decision was a major policy U-turn by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
* Pensioner Bob Pritchard is pleased that he will now have his allowance reinstated after earning £19,500 a year. He believes people who struggled when their payments were taken away should be compensated.
* Alice George is "appalled" by the decision and thinks the money should go towards the NHS or tackling the housing crisis instead of being given to those who can afford it.
* Ian Bryant, who earns over £35,000, supports the U-turn but understands why the payment was removed last year as a cost-cutting measure.
* Gail Impey will miss out on the payment because her income is just over £35,000 and says she struggled last year when her winter fuel payment was taken away.
* Mike Hodges thinks the threshold should be lower so that money can be spent on more pressing priorities and suggests initiatives for younger people instead of pensioners.
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