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

My DH and I are fortunate enough to not need the WFA and said many times we and other people in our situation shouldn't receive it. I'd much rather it went to people less fortunate. However, I do think the threshold should be higher than only being paid to those on certain benefits.

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.

When MPs of all colours vote to accept a lower annual pay increase and a reduced scale of expenses, in order to do their bit towards filling the ‘black hole in the budget’ then I might begin to feel we are all in this together.

it's just the tip of the iceberg.
i'm just outside the pension credit band and still have bills to pay.
i still have to pay a tv licence and i am paying income tax. i thought i would be better off with april's rises but my income tax payment trebled - i am better off but only by £1 a week!
i expect the government will reneague on their promise not to raise income tax and vat in the not too distant future.
not all pensioners are well off but can't claim pension credit.

It is typical, we who are careful with our money and look after ourselves are always penalised.

£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

Not that surprised as this is the first of many tax cuts and loopholes. It is however like putting a finger in hole in the dyke. This will probably hit JAM ( just about managing without any benefits ) pensioners the hardest. It could a very cold winter for many people who wont be able to have their heating on during the coldest months, especially if they don't qualify for any insulation grants either.

This is a good explanation - also link to check whether one is entitled to a qualifying benefit. www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2024/07/eligibility-changes-winter-fuel-payment/

I think the £10 X mas bonus should be scrapped as it must cost more to process it than it is paid to people

Dickens, our generation is compliant and generally law-abiding. We queue and we follow the rules. We are a very easy target for RR, who is as hard as nails

count me in

I am very angry and as someone just over the limit due to the tiny private pension that I receive that apparently precludes me from any other help, I will be much worse off than people who are fully funded by the state. I am too worried to feel rational about what is happening.
The opening posts made me feel that the posters were gloating at their own good fortune. In very poor taste really,

I think that with concerted public efforts we can get the cut off point raised. Write to your ~MP's or RR directly

[email protected]

- sign petitions

There are many pensioners who don't need the extra allowance, and the money is needed to support many other older people's concerns

but as I've said before they need to reconsider the levels of income where you do or don't get the WFA so pensioners in need retain the allowance.

I think its scaremongering and speculative to start saying, "oh now they will cut this and that too, we are all doomed, it proves such and such".

Reeves must be aware that those just above pension credit cut-off point are not well-off. How could she not know?

And because she knows, she - the government - will be expecting a revolt. So let's give it to them.

When a country's finances are allegedly in a crisis - it is always those with the least who pay the price - literally.

As Martin Lewis says, "The targeting of Winter Fuel Payments is too narrow with the winter we have coming. Pensioners were already due to get less as this will be the first time since winter 2022 they haven’t got the up to £300 extra winter fuel cost of living top-up."

... and continues...

"The Energy Price Cap is likely to rise 10% this October and stay high across the winter, leaving most energy bills nearly double those pre-crisis, at levels unaffordable for millions."

So - energy bills probably nearly double those pre-crisis - and she's removing the allowance this year?

I wonder who will next be hit with her "difficult choices"?

The economy is a long-term game - it would have made little difference if she'd deferred the cancellation of the WFA until next year and given those who are going to feel it the keenest a little time to possibly put away some money towards it.

Totally unacceptable. And yes, I did vote Labour, and I did anticipate the nation's finances would be a problem for them, but I am not above criticising them... this is just wrong. And yes, I am alright Jack, financially, but I do know what it's like to live hand-to-mouth as many pensioners are doing even though they are not in receipt of pension credit - but I was young and had the opportunity to earn money by taking on two jobs - pensioners, mostly, cannot do that, they must eke out the paltry pension.

So, any revolt, I'm in.

What we need to do GNs is make a list of Labour's election campaign promises, mark each one as either lies or truth, and send it to all the papers with a clear message that the voting public is not happy

As far as I can tell, however, most of the voting public is perfectly happy with this decision.

I fall just above the amount that i could could claim it. May be since the government is reckond to be abandoning the family credit for just to children only and giving it to all the children in the family.

Does not apply in Scotland, as the winter fuel allowance is devolved. We keep it, but not guaranteed beyond this winter

Chas77

I’m happy that winter fuel payment has been stopped.

Perhaps others aren't, though. Most pensioners really need them!

Maybee is right - all those “new hospitals” and other grand Tory promises never were going to be delivered. Rishi Sunak cancelled HS2 .

Sycamore123

I should be careful in speaking for everyone, many pensioners are just outside the Pension Credit limit who are far from ‘comfortably off’, I doubt they will be very happy!!

This!

Blackcat3

Maybe the Tories weren’t so bad after all…

they needed a shake-up, became far too complacent.

Labour won`t get in again for another term in 2029

Although I am just OK with a small private pension , an old style state pension but no rent or mortgage. I do feel that maybe Rachel Reeves decided to cut WFA to those not on benefits to show some fairness . ( ducks behind the sofa !) She hasn’t reinstated child benefits for more than 3 children, and to get the country back together I think it’s going to be tough . Maybe more pensioners who are entitled will apply for Pension Credit and also the cut off point could be raised to £ 12,500 . There are a number of pensioners who spend the winter in their holiday home in Spain and still receive the WFA .

Rishi said they will go after the pensions and for once he was telling the truth. We are just over the limit for pension credit and as I don't get the full pension due to a few years short our savings is going down rapidly. Bills are high and food price rises mean we are dipping into savings most months. Its disgusting to target pensioners who have savings. Why not target v high earners and large corporations as they can afford it.

newnanny

If a you g couple both work full time onion mum wage they'd be on far more than that. Then they'd get help towards child care. I suppose they'll get only get £31k.on.one salary but then that would be their choice for one parent not to work. A couple both working on mi imum wage 40 hours a week would be on over £40k they might also get UC if they rent a house.

But they will have childcare costs, rent or mortgage to pay, probably petrol or public transport fares to and from their workplace.

Indeed! The Conservatives wanted the pensioner vote but those less well off still could not afford to heat their homes adequately under the last government

I’m happy that winter fuel payment has been stopped.