Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces winter fuel payment cuts, leaving many out in the cold. What does this mean for pensioners?
With a chill in the air and winter looming, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set off a storm among pensioners by announcing a cut to the universal Winter Fuel Payments. This assistance, typically handed out to all individuals born before September 25th, 1957, ranging from £250 to £600 to help with heating bills, will now only be given to those on benefits or Pension Credit. Talk about a real-life game of musical chairs—only now, fewer people will have a seat!
The announcement comes as a strategic move to address a staggering £22 billion black hole in the public finances, left over by the previous Conservative government. Reeves’ budget proposals, set to be unveiled on October 30, are also hinting at tax rises and cuts to spending across the board—essentially asking us to bundle up as the heat, quite literally, will not be on for everyone this winter. For over a million pensioners, this could mean a chilly winter season ahead as they scramble to figure out how to manage their bills without the vital support they have come to rely on.
Predictably, reactions to the news haven’t been warm and fuzzy. Advocacy groups have labelled the cuts ‘disastrous’ and warned they may jeopardise the health and well-being of many older citizens. Age UK stated that the withdrawal of universal winter fuel payments could lead to adverse outcomes, prompting the Older People’s Commissioner to urge the government to reconsider their plans. After all, who wouldn't want to cosy up with a hot cup of tea without worrying about the rising thermostat?
With winter around the corner, many pensioners might find themselves huddled in blankets instead of enjoying the comfort of a warm home. It’s not just a battle against the cold—it’s also a fiscal nightmare that could lead to increased health risks for vulnerable individuals. Interestingly, did you know that a whopping 17% of people over 65 reported experiencing fuel poverty in the UK? It seems that while the temperatures drop, these changes could heat up debates around financial support for our elderly, just in time for winter's arrival!
Winter Fuel Payments are to be restricted to those on benefits and Pension Credit, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced. But MoneySavingExpert.com founder ...
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Individuals born before 25th September 1957, could receive between £250 and £600 to help pay heating bills. This assistance, known as a “Winter Fuel Payment,” ...
The chancellor on Monday announced a series of spending cuts to address a black hole in the public finances left by the previous Conservative government.
Reeves is cutting the number of pensioners eligible for the payments from this winter by over a million - unless more act to claim benefits they are already ...
The chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that the winter fuel payment will no longer be paid to all pensioners of a certain age.
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WITH the Chancellor's announcement of means testing the Winter fuel payment, Age Cymru says it is extremely concerned about the impact that this will have ...
She also announced that the Budget would be on October 30 and would involve “difficult decisions” on tax, spending and welfare.
The chancellor also cuts several transport projects, saying Labour inherited a projected overspend of £22bn.
Rachel Reeves speech live: Chancellor warns more difficult choices to come after axing winter fuel payment to plug '£22bn black hole'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves explained that, due to a £22 billion deficit, it was necessary to stop winter fuel payments for pensioners not receiving pension ...
The consumer champion warns the Winter Fuel Payment rule change will put 'too big a squeeze' on pensioner households.
We would like to hear from people who may no longer receive winter fuel payments due to planned changes.
Winter Fuel Payments were normally available to everyone who is above state pension age in the UK - but this is changing so that only those on means-tested ...
Axing the winter fuel payment for pensioners is equivalent to reducing the state pension by 3 per cent according to Baroness Ros Altmann.
This year about 1.5 million pensioners will be eligible for the winter fuel payment - down from 11.4 million when the payment was universal.
The money-saving expert released a formal statement addressing the chancellor on social media.
Rachel Reeves says there is a "black hole" in the public finances due to "unfunded" overspends by the previous government.
Ms Reeves said: “I am making the difficult decision that those not in receipt of Pension Credit will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment from this year ...
Vulnerable pensioners missing out on the winter fuel payment could be left in dire financial straits, experts have warned.
Winter fuel payments will be scrapped for most pensioners in a move expected to save the Treasury £1.5 billion per year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has.
Rachel Reeves announced that the payments to pensioners will no longer be universal in England and Wales.