Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to state pensioners born on or before September 1957, expressing his concerns after the government’s decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for UK households. Speaking on the BBC Sounds podcast and through the Money Saving Expert platform, he highlighted the significance of these payments that have historically benefited all in the relevant age bracket.
“Until now, Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 have been made available to EVERYONE above State Pension age (most recently, this included those born on or before 24 September 1957),” MSE clarified. Upon learning of these developments, supporters of MSE erupted with indignation.
One disgruntled commenter vented, “You’re right, as a benefits advisor there are quite a high percentage of people who are just a few pounds over being eligible for Pension Credit and as such living on the breadline.”
Another commented: “This is disgusting. £1 over threshold and not getting it when things are so tight and worst state pension around. I fear for our older generation. Choosing again whether they can put heating on or eat a decent meal.”, reports Birmingham Live.
Alice Haine, Personal Finance Analyst at Bestinvest by Evelyn Partners, the online investment platform, warned: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ shock decision to scrap winter fuel payments for all pensioners risks leaving some of the most vulnerable people without heating in the colder winter months.”
“Under current rules, these payments of up to £300 were paid to all pensioners born before 25 September 1957 but Reeves has now stipulated that the universal payment will be restricted to those receiving benefits. The withdrawal of this vital support will apply from this winter, meaning many who may have budgeted their finances carefully, expecting to receive the payment this year will now miss out.
“When you consider pensioners were already in line to receive less as this winter is the first without the £300 cost-of-living winter fuel top up, the latest news will come as a blow at a time when many people’s finances are only just beginning to recover from the days of sky-high inflation.”
“While it is understandable that the wealthiest members of society do not need to receive an extra sum to cover their fuel bills, limiting this payment to the poorest pensioners could make life difficult for those ‘only just managing’. Energy bills have eased dramatically this year, with the Energy Price Cap (EPC) currently set at £1,568 until the end of September almost £1,000 below the Energy Price Guarantee introduced by the former Government, set at £2,500, which ran from Autumn 2022 until the end of June 2023 to help consumers cope with sky-high bills.
The EPC is expected to rise 10 per cent on October 1 and remain high throughout the winter, which means energy bills will still be almost double pre-crisis levels making them unaffordable for many.”
“Unlike workers who can take on extra work to cover a shortfall, pensioners are typically on fixed incomes so have to budget with the set amount they receive from their state pension and private pension. Only giving the payment to those on benefits could put many whose income sit just above that level at risk during the colder months because they cannot afford to put the heating on.”
