Two crucial groups 'forgotten' in DWP Winter Fuel Payment changes
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Two key groups have been "forgotten" regarding the new criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, an expert has warned. According to the UK Government, nine million pensioners will receive Winter Fuel Payments if they have an income of, or below, £35,000 a year.
Tom MacInnes, director of Policy at Citizens Advice, said: "It's good news that the Government is returning winter fuel payments to low-income pensioners, without needing to access Pension Credit first. This will provide straightforward, vital support to nine million pensioners this winter."
But he raised concerns that despite this move, additional assistance should be directed towards those most burdened by energy costs, such as households with children and the disabled.
"These groups will continue to face significant financial stress unless further action is taken.", reports Birmingham Live.
He added: "We hope the Government will now take stock of its other proposals and rethink the huge cuts to disability benefits, which will cause significant hardship for disabled people and have severe consequences for their children."
Reacting to the reinstatement Scottish Greens Social Security spokesperson Maggie Chapman MSP said: "Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment was one of the first acts of this Labour government. Elected on a promise of 'change' they brought in sweeping austerity that harmed older people across the UK at a time when the cost of living remains sky high.
"There is no doubt that the damage has already been done, families will have lost loved ones, and illnesses will have been caused over the winter months because of the brutal decision by Rachel Reeves and the Labour Government.
"Labour's cutting of the Winter Fuel Payment, refusal to end the two-child benefit cap and regressive austerity measures are forcing people into poverty in Scotland and across the UK
"The reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Payment for some is a welcome move, but we must go further, the Labour government must end the two-child benefit cap which hits working class families the hardest, and they must reverse their cruel austerity policies.
"Poverty isn't inevitable; it's a political policy, a policy which Rachel Reeves has forced upon hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. If Keir Starmer has any shame, he would finally call an end to her disastrous time as Chancellor."
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