Mon, 09 Jun 2025

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 Three-quarters of pensioners to get winter fuel payment after U-turn

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says all pensioners on less than £35,000 will now qualify for the payment.

* Over three-quarters of pensioners in England and Wales (9 million) will now receive the winter fuel payment, worth up to £300.
* The payment was previously only given to those on pension credit, but is now available to those with an annual income of £35,000 or less.
* Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government had "listened to people's concerns" and that no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out.
* The change comes ahead of the government's Spending Review, which will be announced on Wednesday.
* Eligible households will receive £200 in November or December if they have a person under 80, and £300 if they have a person over 80.
* Pensioners above the £35,000 annual income threshold may have their payment automatically recovered or opt out.
* The original cut to universal winter fuel payments last year had been estimated to save £1.7bn, but charities and some MPs raised concerns over the impact on pensioners with slightly higher incomes.
* Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the change a "humiliating U-turn", while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said it was a "welcome reversal".
* The government has argued that the policy change will not lead to permanent additional borrowing, but some analysts have questioned this claim.
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