As many as 10 million pensioners are estimated to go without their Winter Fuel Allowance this year, in a move that the Government says will help fill a £22billion hole in the nation’s finances.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the allowance, which is worth between £100 and £300 and goes towards heating bills in the winter, will only be available to pensioners who receive means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, going forward.
Previously, the payment was available to all pensioners across England and Wales, born before a certain date, no matter their income.
Subsequently, millions of people will now no longer be eligible for the benefit. Critics of the previous system said the money was going to people who did not need it. Some more wealthy people were giving theirs to charity or had opted out of the scheme.
However, the move has more widely sparked outrage, particularly as the country heads into winter, where the elderly are among the most at risk.
Some pensioners are missing out on eligibility by just a few pounds over the Pension Credit threshold. As a result, they still find themselves struggling with costs but won’t receive vital help with bills, leaving them fearful for the months ahead.
Sharon Graham, leader of the Unite union, voiced strong opposition to the cuts at the TUC conference in Brighton, arguing that pensioners shouldn’t be left to suffer in freezing conditions.
Instead, she proposed a wealth tax targeting the richest one percent to restore the winter benefit.
Ms Graham said: “Britain is in crisis, and we need to make very, very different choices. We’re calling on Labour not to pick the pockets of pensioners, but to have a wealth tax on the biggest and richest one percent in society.”
But what do you think? Should Rachel Reeves increase tax on the riches one percent of British taxpayers instead of cutting winter fuel allowance payments to some pensioners? Have your say in our poll below…
If you can’t see the poll below, click here.
Ms Graham claims her wealth tax proposal could generate an estimated £25billion, which would exceed the £22billion shortfall cited by the Chancellor and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as the reason for the cuts.
She urged the Government to rethink its stance before the harsh winter months set in, emphasising the potential consequences of elderly citizens facing cold conditions without adequate support.
Ms Graham added: “We’re calling for the Government to think again. This issue isn’t going to go away. We’re coming up to winter. People are going to be freezing cold. You’re going to have older people not wanting to put on their heat.”
With millions of pensioners now excluded from receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, the question remains: should the Government look to wealthier individuals to fill the financial gap, rather than cutting crucial benefits to those in need? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments.
