'Our winter fuel payment goes into the holiday kitty'
Published On Sep 13, 2024, 9:49 PM
The UK government has changed the rules regarding the winter fuel payment (WFP), which has traditionally been given to all pensioners in England and Wales to help with heating costs. Now, only those who qualify for specific benefits will receive the payment, reducing the number of recipients from 10.8 million to an estimated 1.5 million. This change is part of the new Labour government's efforts to save taxpayers approximately £1.5 billion, addressing a £22 billion gap in national finances. While some pensioners feel the change is justified as the wealthy over-65s do not need the extra money, critics warn that many pensioners will struggle to afford heating this winter without this support.