Winter Fuel Payment decision “risks driving older people into further financial hardship”

Independent Age Head of Policy and Influencing Morgan Vine said: “Today’s decision to end the Winter Fuel Payment for those not receiving Pension Credit risks driving hundreds of thousands of older people into further financial hardship.

“We welcome the Chancellor’s intention to tackle the low uptake of Pension Credit, but means testing the Winter Fuel Payment now will mean too many older people will fall through the cracks and not get the vital financial support they desperately need, especially when household bills like energy are still extremely high.

“Pension Credit has an unacceptably low uptake at just 63%. This means a staggering 880,000 older people who are eligible could be missing out on money they need to turn their heating on. On top of this, every day we hear from older people who just miss out on Pension Credit but still struggle to pay their energy bills.

“They could now be heading into winter without this important lifeline.

“We understand the UK Government needs to make some tough choices, but today’s announcement demonstrates just how important it is for all older people facing financial hardship to receive the money they are entitled to.

“We also hope the new UK Government will take this opportunity to work cross party to determine what an adequate income in older age is and ensure that everybody receives it so that nobody lives in poverty in later life.”