Rachel Reeves has announced that winter fuel payments will only be paid to those on Pension Credit.nsion Credit

I believe this is just the first of many such actions by a government that has very little to do with the Labour party as we used to know it. (I would also say they do NOT have a mandate, as they were only voted in by about a third of the electorate, and I'm sure half of those just wanted to get the Tories out). Maybe many pensioners can get by comfortably without this benefit (we can, thankfully) but millions cannot. Let's remember, we have PAID for our pensions and related benefits through our National Insurance. While I am all for helping the needy, I strongly question the 'neediness' of the thousands of single males, flooding into this country and claiming benefits, and I strongly question the 'woke' ideology that gags anyone who objects to 'liberal' policies, which do not benefit the citizens of the country. I sometimes think that a factor behind the current British compulsion to give their culture away is a communal guilt for colonial days. Newsflash - there are very few countries that did not conquer, colonise and enslave, when they could, and responsibility is not all one way. Maybe I see this differently, being totally not English, but half Irish and half Belgian. I feel very sorry for pensioners who will now have to sit in the cold, glad I did not vote for this lot, vindicated in my expectations of this government, but very frightened for the future.

biglouis

The guidelines said also those on "certain other means tested benefits" which probably means housing and council tax benefit.

Not AA because that is not means tested. We havnt yet heard exactly which benefits are involved. Not UC or ESA because they are working age benefits.

Many pensioners who just miss out on pension credit (because of a small private pension) are still entitled to a certain amount of local housing allowance (aka housing benefit) and/or council tax support. So lets wait for the details first.

The winter fuel payment will now be limited to people over state pension age who are receiving pension credit or a limited number of other benefits.

These benefits are: Income support; income-based jobseeker's allowance; income-related employment and support allowance; universal credit.

I only get state pension, no other income this will hit me hard this winter and many others too.

I used to donate my Winter Fuel Allowance to the Salvation Army but my friend, who has a state pension and a small works pension, will be greatly affected by this cut. She is 81 and still works part-time, maybe Rachel Reeves thinks she should get a full time job.

Wonder what the October Budget will bring.

Merion

I posted at 11:06:27 linking to a very informative research brief published in 2019 about the future of the WFP.

Nobody has commented on it so I might assume that nobody has read it but if you do you would see that this was always coming. Arguably the Tories didn't have the courage to do it for fear of the backlash from their own voter base. Note the paper was published on 5 November 2019, so just before the GE on 12 December 2019.

Options for reform were: means testing, taxing, withdrawal from higher income pensioners.

Note it says that withdrawal at a certain threshold would create a cliff edge problem that could be tackled by some kind of taper as had been done for the Child Benefit Higher Income Charge. Perhaps we shall see something of this in the Autumn Statement.

Much of the reasoning behind leaving WFP as a universal benefit was because of the poor take up in pension credit - which Reeves covered in her speech. There were also discussions around the money saved from removing WFP being channelled into adult social care.

My gut feeling is that it would have changed next year but faced with the financial hole that the Tories have left behind, Reeves saw it as a quick way to fill some of it, withdraw a universal benefit that would have had to be paid in the next few months so making an immediate saving.

Rubbish making excuses for Labour they had to bow to their Union leaders tune and pensioners were an easy target. How about taking benefits off the ones who come on the boats 1010 in 4 days I think it was came over having paid thousands of euros to the smuggling gangs. £300 maternity benefit they get as well if they are pregnant. Bet they won't go cold this winter all nice and warm in 4 star hotels.

I was absolutely disgusted at this raid on pensioners. Yes I know some older people have the benefit of their husbands pensions etc. Or inherited wealth, But someone like me who worked hard all my working life and although I managed to buy a small terraced house 10 years ago after my husband decided after 40 years to pursue his belief that the grass was greener etc…. I have a pretty meagre income and because I own my own house I am not entitled to any benefits that would make life easier and ensure that I kept the heating payment …. And just to rub salt in the wound this year I would have been entitled to £300.

This is very short notice to suddenly be told that us as a couple will be £500 worse off than we had budgeted this winter. On the threshold and it will have an impact on us. This is looking like another WASPI situation to me even if they send a notification letter.

I posted at 11:06:27 linking to a very informative research brief published in 2019 about the future of the WFP.

Nobody has commented on it so I might assume that nobody has read it but if you do you would see that this was always coming. Arguably the Tories didn't have the courage to do it for fear of the backlash from their own voter base. Note the paper was published on 5 November 2019, so just before the GE on 12 December 2019.

Options for reform were: means testing, taxing, withdrawal from higher income pensioners.

Note it says that withdrawal at a certain threshold would create a cliff edge problem that could be tackled by some kind of taper as had been done for the Child Benefit Higher Income Charge. Perhaps we shall see something of this in the Autumn Statement.

Much of the reasoning behind leaving WFP as a universal benefit was because of the poor take up in pension credit - which Reeves covered in her speech. There were also discussions around the money saved from removing WFP being channelled into adult social care.

My gut feeling is that it would have changed next year but faced with the financial hole that the Tories have left behind, Reeves saw it as a quick way to fill some of it, withdraw a universal benefit that would have had to be paid in the next few months so making an immediate saving.

Doodledog it might have escaped your attention but Labour is a more suitable recipient of your scorn than I.
Yes it’s very important to keep as mobile as possible and some 90 year olds are able to participate in wider society whereas some younger people are not.
Incontinence seems to follow on from immobility…

I am really concerned about the effect this will have on pensioners who don't receive benefits because they have some savings. The cost of heating is always a huge worry due to the price increases. I know what will happen, the heating won't go on and there will be more hospitalisation if we have a cold winter. A dreadful move from Labour.

MayBee70

Karole

I agree, money from this country should stay here, and be given to our own people, to make sure we have housing, food, and enough to pay our bills, never mind giving housing out willy nilly to people invading our shores, we need to look after our homeless, pensioners, low paid, also families that have none of these things, then we can consider spreading a little, if there is any left. Maybe Rachael Reeves will donate her yearly income, she is very happy to take ours without a thought, why not hers, her perks and expenses would probably keep her going without pay, she won't be cold or hungry will she. Perhaps all of the parties would offer to take a pay cut, also cut out their expenses, that would save an enormous amount obviously to help the country, and live like the rest of us. I am glad I didn't vote Labour

I’m happy to be proved wrong but I doubt if many or any Labour MP’s have the lucrative second jobs that a lot of Conservatives MP’s had in the last government. I think Labour are going to bring in legislation about MP’s second jobs?

Yes, under an Ethics and Integrity Commission, with its own independent Chair

(at the moment MP's "police" themselves.)

It's intended to stop the handouts for contracts and the well paid directorships on bodies that could influence govt policy as well as aspects of "sleaze".

I doubt if they intend to stop, for example, MP's who are doctors working a few shifts (they have to, to keep their qualifications) or similar - don't know the details.

Freya5 if it suits you to think it was patronising, I don’t mind. My friends agree with me about standing next to an air conditioner in this very hot weather.
Each to their own…..
The way this new regime is treating pensioners will lead to necessary changes in accommodation and ways of living unless Labour comes clean and itemises its policies towards the old and vulnerable.
Quite frankly I can live with patronising but heartless and cruel I am not.

Freya5

ronib

Today was very hot and I welcomed the free air conditioning in the shops …. So maybe pensioners need to access warm hubs in the winter. Go to shopping malls, libraries and maybe volunteer to help in a charity shop and stay warm that way. Wear extra layers of clothing and maybe wear a poncho /coat, hat and gloves etc … bit sad though for the fifth or is it sixth richest economy in the world?

What a patronising post. So pensioners shouldn't stay in their homes for warmth, they should go out and about in the freezing weather. Oops then spend weeks in hospital after slipping over and fracturing their hip. Be warm and fed though won't they . !!!

It's quite something, isn't it? Get a poncho, a hat and gloves, and work in a charity shop to keep warm??

That's one thing when you're hale and hearty, but quite another if you're 90 and getting a bit infirm. At what point should older people be able to put their feet up (preferably in front of a fire) and rest after a lifetime of work?

The thought of nonagenarians in Mexican dress heading to Oxfam to keep warm would be comical if not so utterly outrageous.

Like many I can managed but for lots it will be a problem x and they will suffer x while I feel for refugees they will have heating as do prisons x

Karole

I agree, money from this country should stay here, and be given to our own people, to make sure we have housing, food, and enough to pay our bills, never mind giving housing out willy nilly to people invading our shores, we need to look after our homeless, pensioners, low paid, also families that have none of these things, then we can consider spreading a little, if there is any left. Maybe Rachael Reeves will donate her yearly income, she is very happy to take ours without a thought, why not hers, her perks and expenses would probably keep her going without pay, she won't be cold or hungry will she. Perhaps all of the parties would offer to take a pay cut, also cut out their expenses, that would save an enormous amount obviously to help the country, and live like the rest of us. I am glad I didn't vote Labour

I’m happy to be proved wrong but I doubt if many or any Labour MP’s have the lucrative second jobs that a lot of Conservatives MP’s had in the last government. I think Labour are going to bring in legislation about MP’s second jobs?

ronib

Today was very hot and I welcomed the free air conditioning in the shops …. So maybe pensioners need to access warm hubs in the winter. Go to shopping malls, libraries and maybe volunteer to help in a charity shop and stay warm that way. Wear extra layers of clothing and maybe wear a poncho /coat, hat and gloves etc … bit sad though for the fifth or is it sixth richest economy in the world?

What a patronising post. So pensioners shouldn't stay in their homes for warmth, they should go out and about in the freezing weather. Oops then spend weeks in hospital after slipping over and fracturing their hip. Be warm and fed though won't they . !!!

Knew this would happen with Labour ,and a lot more to come I think . This is just the beginning....They always give into the unions' demands. That's partly where our winter fuel allowance is going,to fund the pay rises!😡

Can someone please point me to where the LP made a promise not to cut the WFP? I don't remember their doing that.

This is not a lie. It's not popular, and it's based on a very unfair measure (the means-test), but it is not a lie. No cronies have benefited from it, and time will tell whether or not the money lost will be gained in other ways. If something is done about dentistry, for instance, many people would recoup the money very quickly. That is just one possibility - there are many others.

Yes there's People that can and others that can't lose it. What get me is if you claime pension credit. You get alot more help than those who don't. What about these people that just get a pension and nothing else.. They don't get the help with nothing unless they rent..
I feel it should be means tested.. But only if your loaded. Or on more than the average..
I say to the labour voters. You've been shafted.. What next your not getting you government pension either. Means tested.. I really feel for the elderly.. Plus those on sickness benefit. The genuine ones. Not the ones who play on it.. I hope labour realises what they've done. To feed and cloth and house the illegal ones. To let our own people suffer. Sorry for the rant..

Those who do not want to sign Change.org petition may feel happier signing the Age U.K. petition which is easy to find on their website. The Age U.K. petition is more nuanced and one which I have signed, and I think will carry more weight.

PhilJaz

I hope that the majority of those who require but now will not get the very much needed Winter Fuel Payment voted for
Labour

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying that you hope they voted for Labour because you believe that in the context of other measures to come the cut will be less impactful than another term under the Tories would be, or that you spitefully hope they regret voting for Labour because you disapprove of this cut and want them to suffer?

I hope that the majority of those who require but now will not get the very much needed Winter Fuel Payment voted for
Labour

I agree, money from this country should stay here, and be given to our own people, to make sure we have housing, food, and enough to pay our bills, never mind giving housing out willy nilly to people invading our shores, we need to look after our homeless, pensioners, low paid, also families that have none of these things, then we can consider spreading a little, if there is any left. Maybe Rachael Reeves will donate her yearly income, she is very happy to take ours without a thought, why not hers, her perks and expenses would probably keep her going without pay, she won't be cold or hungry will she. Perhaps all of the parties would offer to take a pay cut, also cut out their expenses, that would save an enormous amount obviously to help the country, and live like the rest of us. I am glad I didn't vote Labour

Asylum seekers or maybe Africa anywhere but here in the UK.
Just became a pensioner last September so got the fuel payment and I really appreciated it,my husband and I have worked all our life he is 2 years younger than me so you can imagine his disgust at this decision of Labour to do this we pay for everything Dental Glasses we are not on any benefits it sucks 🤬

orly

And what happened to making sure non-doms, large global corporations, energy companies and banks pay appropriate taxation. She's following in the footsteps of Gordon Brown who raped our pensions by removing the Pensions Dividend Tax Credit when many of us were saving hard for our futures.

"And what happened to making sure non-doms, large global corporations, energy companies and banks pay appropriate taxation."

They are in Labour's sights. Not within 3 weeks.

brummie

£3billion to Ukraine for war every year for “as long as it takes”. UK support for Israel genocide and ethnic cleansing incalculable because the govt is quiet about its operations from Cyprus, in Lebanon and Yemen

This was the last Governments promise after David Cameron’s visit earlier this year.
Personally I think Putin is very dangerous ( possibly far more than Hitler ) and has to be stopped.
It is disingenuous to blame the current government for all the spending of their predecessors.