Ahead of a hand-in of more than 500,000 signatures calling on the UK Government to protect the Winter Fuel Payment, new research from Independent Age has found that 44% of older people (65+) in England think losing the Winter Fuel Payment will negatively impact their physical health1.
The new polling also shows that many people in later life feel they will be forced to change their behaviour this winter due to losing the payment:
49% of older people in England who will lose their Winter Fuel Payment said they were planning to only heat and spend time in one room. 20% were already planning to do this but now an additional 29% said they will resort to this measure because of the change.
43% of older people in England who will lose their Winter Fuel Payment said they were planning to wear outdoor clothes indoors, for example hats and coats. 15% were already planning to do this and now an additional 28% said they will make this change, which they hadn't expected to do before losing the Winter Fuel Payment.
Older people set to lose the Winter Fuel Payment and organisations who support them will deliver the signatures to Downing Street and The Treasury on Wednesday 16th October to challenge plans to means test the entitlement this winter. The signatures are from combined petitions and open letters led by charities and campaigning organisations including Independent Age, 38 Degrees, Silver Voices and Organise. The hand-in is also being supported by other organisations including End Fuel Poverty Coalition, National Pensions Convention, Uplift and Fuel Poverty Action
The latest UK Government figures estimate that only 65% of eligible older people receive Pension Credit, meaning up to 760,000 eligible households will lose the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
There is also concern among the coalition for the older people whose income is just above the Pension Credit threshold. This group live on a low income but will still lose the Winter Fuel Payment.
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Agesaid:
“Tying the Winter Fuel Payment to Pension Credit now will see far too many older people fall through the cracks. Pension Credit still has a stubbornly low take up and in addition there is a large group of older people living just above the entitlement’s threshold, sometimes by just a few pounds. People in this situation will now have this vital money taken away from them. That’s why we are heading to Downing Street to urge the UK Government to protect the payment for those in later life living on low incomes.
“With winter around the corner, now is the time to bring older people on a low income back in from the cold.”
Robert Trewhella, 68, from Cornwall will be handing in the box of signatures to Downing Street. He said:
“It’s not right that so many older people will have money taken away from them this winter. My State Pension puts me just £2 above the Pension Credit threshold, meaning I will lose the Winter Fuel Payment. I only have a small income and in the past the extra money has helped keep my flat warm.
“Hopefully the UK Government listens and decides to protect the Winter Fuel Payment for older people that can’t afford to lose it. I am worried about the winter ahead, I hope it doesn’t get too cold as I don’t think I will be able to turn the heating on often.”
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age,continued:
“If the UK Government is determined to go ahead with this change at some point in the future, there must be an immediate action plan to ensure all eligible older people receive Pension Credit, which will also guarantee them the Winter Fuel Payment. We would also want to see the payment extended to those on low incomes but not in receipt of Pension Credit, for example older renters who receive Housing Benefit. Older renters are more likely to live in poverty and need this extra financial support.
“In the long-term an appropriate income to avoid financial hardship in later life needs to be established. If all parties can agree on this amount, then robust plans can be put in place to ensure everyone has enough money to live well when they are older.”
Matthew McGregor, 38 Degrees CEO, said:
“The message to the Government today is clear: don’t let vulnerable people fall through the cracks of our economy this winter.
“That's why so many hundreds of thousands of us have come together to demand that Chancellor Rachel Reeves doesn’t scrap winter fuel payments for struggling pensioners, just as energy bills have risen again.
“This petition hand-in should be a wake up call for the Prime Minister and Chancellor. Use this Autumn Budget to prove whose side you're on."
Dennis Reed, Director of Silver Voices said
" We will be handing in a petition with over 105,000 signatures calling for a reversal of this cruel policy. When counted together alongside other organisations, our multiple petitions total more than 500,000 signatures.
“For the UK Government to continue to ignore the political will of the people is politically unsustainable. If scrapping the universal Winter Fuel Payment had been in the Labour Manifesto, or even raised during the campaign, there would be many fewer MPs on the Labour Benches. Very few people support the targeting of so many poor pensioners and organisations who work with, or represent, older people are appalled by this decision, and very worried about an impending disaster this winter.
“To justify a policy which impoverishes up to 3 million pensioners living on the breadline, because a few very wealthy businessmen don't need the payment, is illogical, and in her heart of hearts the Chancellor knows it. Let the Sir Jim Ratcliffe's and Lord Alan Sugar's of this world set up a fund to ensure the universal payment continues, a fund called a billionaires' tax.
“The Independent Age research shows that living in one room with your overcoat and scarf on will be a reality for millions of older people this winter, unless good sense prevails."
- ENDS -
Notes to editor
References:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,116 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th - 11th October 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults in England (aged 65+).
Petition hand-in times
12:00pm: Meet at Parliament Square Gardens, London SW1P 3JX.
1:30pm: Treasury petition hand-in
2:00pm: Arrive at Downing St security
2:30pm: Downing Street petition hand-in
For media enquiries please contact
Joshua Hack – Media & PR Officer
E: joshua.hack@independentage.org
M: 07849 641286
Out of hours: 07545 209589