3 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Stormont confirms Winter Fuel Payment reinstated for Northern Ireland
Minister Gordons Lyons confirmed the news following a statement to the Assembly, with the necessary legislation being in place by the end of July.
A payment of at least £200 a month will be restored to pensioners who earn under £35,000 a year and rising to £300 for those aged 80 or over.
Speaking in the Assembly today, Mr Lyons said: 'I know that many of our pensioners are still anxious and worried about what yesterday's statement means for them.
'Therefore, I have acted quickly, to provide clarity and certainty about what will happen to the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland.
'Since yesterday's announcement my officials have been engaging with officials in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to understand the impact for Northern Ireland.
'I also met with Torsten Bell MP, Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary (DWP) along with the Finance Minister John O'Dowd.
'Today I have engaged with Executive ministers on the re-instatement of the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland.'
He added: 'My officials are continuing to work with DWP and HMRC officials to determine the number of NI pensioners impacted by this announcement, particularly the number of pensioners who exceed the £35,000 threshold.'
It comes after around a quarter of a million pensioners were dropped from the support scheme last year following the Labour Party's Autumn Budget announcement.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who announced the cuts last October, made the U-turn yesterday which will see around nine million pensioners across England and Wales reinstated with the Winter Fuel Scheme.
Calls have been made in Westminster for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to apologise for the cuts which saw more than 10 million pensioners UK-wide dropped from the scheme.
Independent MLA Claire Sugden welcomed the renewal of the scheme and described it as a relief for pensioners.
'This will bring comfort to a lot of older people who have been anxious about the winter ahead,' the East Londonderry MLA said.
'Heating your home isn't a luxury – it's essential. I'm really glad to see this support confirmed and, more importantly, that it will be available up front when people need it most.'
Following the announcement in October, OAPs in Northern Ireland were offered a one-off payment of £100 after the Executive secured an additional £17m in funds.
While the Stormont funding provided some relief for pensioners, Mr Lyons acknowledged that many 'remained anxious' throughout the winter season.
'Almost 250,000 payments were issued, as promised, to most Northern Ireland pensioners by the end of March 2025,' the Communities Minister continued.
'While this one-off payment helped to support pensioners last winter, I know that many of them remained anxious and worried about their energy bills this winter and beyond.
'I therefore welcome Treasury's announcement yesterday to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment to everyone over State Pension age with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year. This increased threshold means that no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out.'
The DUP MLA also issued a warning against potential scams and advised that no personal details will be requested throughout the renewal process.
