Misery of Winter Fuel Payment cuts revealed
Published on 22 February 2025 06:05 PM
Shocking proof Winter Fuel Payment cuts are causing misery for 3 in 4 older people
As we brace for yet another rise in the price cap on energy prices next week, research by the Age UK estimates around 9.1million people aged over 66 endured cold homes ‘some, most of or all of the time.’
Age UK published their findings as they delivered a petition signed by 649,827 people – including huge numbers of National Pensioners Convention members - into 10 Downing Street on Tuesday last (February18th).
The ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ petition highlights the pressures felt by older people since the government cut the allowance to help with heating bills last year. It calls for a range of measures to alleviate the situation.
These findings highlighted the significant pressures being felt by many pensioners this winter:
- Two in five (41%) pensioners said that they had recently had to cut back on heating or powering their home – equivalent to 5 million.
- Nearly half (48%) of people aged 66+ revealed they were worried about being able to heat their homes when they wanted to.
- 44% told Age UK they’re worried about the impact of energy prices on their health – noticeably higher than last year (January 2024) when 1 in
3 (33%) said they were worried about this.
Age UK is calling on the Government to:
- Extend eligibility for the WFP to other pensioner benefits, including Housing Benefit,Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance (and other disability benefits) and Carer’s Allowance.
- Adopt a sustained and strategic approach to tackle the persistently low take-up of Pension Credit and other pensioner benefits.
- Implement an energy social tariff which provides a unit-based discount to those with low-incomes, disabilities and for carers. It should also facilitate the continued funding of independent energy advice and support services.
- Bring forward the Warm Homes Plan as soon as possible, and ensuring those living in cold, damp and mouldy homes are prioritised for support.