There is still a faint hope the winter fuel payment could be saved for needy pensioners who are dreading the winter
MPs will be able to debate and vote in parliament on the Social Fund and Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 next Tuesday, 10 September.
Since the shock announcement was made by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves on 29 July, it has been heavily criticised by MPs, pensioners, charities and the public, but up until now, Kier Starmer’s Labour has refused to sanction a Commons debate.
On 5 September, Lucy Powell, leader of the House of Commons, announced the debate would be held on Tuesday before MPs go into recess for the conference season.
It is not clear whether Labour MPs will be under the whip to vote for the measure or will be given a free vote.
The move was welcomed by shadow leader of the House, Chris Philp MP, welcomed the decision for the debate, saying: ‘I am glad that there will be a debate and a vote on that next Tuesday.
‘Labour back benchers may be less glad at the prospect of being whipped to vote to remove winter fuel payments from pensioners on less than half the minimum wage.
‘Under the proposals, 84% of pensioners in poverty will lose the winter fuel payment. Is that Labour members’ idea of a government of service—leaving pensioners in poverty shivering at wintertime?’
The government has rejected criticism of the abolition, saying that pensioners on benefits and receiving pension credit will still receive the payments which range from £150 to £300. Reeves continues to defend the decision, telling MPs earlier this week that the state pension went up £900 a month in April 2024, and Labour has committed to the triple lock. However, Ofgem’s latest fuel cap will see bills rise an average £150 a month from October.
Age UK is running a petition to halt the changes to the winter fuel payment, which is 9,555 signatures away, at the time of writing, from reaching its goal of 500,000.
Paul Farmer, CEO of Age UK said: ‘We believe the decision to make the winter fuel payment means-tested is the wrong one at the wrong time. Why? Many older people who have financial security will say they don’t really need it. But there are also many older people who do – about two million, in fact.
‘There’s no doubt the pension credit system needs reform so it is fair for all. There’s no doubt that we need better cohesion between the benefits system and health and social care services. And there’s equally no doubt that this can’t happen before the leaves disappear from the trees and the frosts set in.’
The Department for Work & Pensions is also running a publiciity campaign to encourage pensioners to sign up for pensions credit, which is not claimed by a startling 900,000 pensioners who are eligible for the benefit and can be worth up to £3,000 a year per household.
Chilling decision to abolish winter fuel payment | 29 July 2024