Latest news with #WorkandPensionsCommittee
South Wales Argus
19 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Fund Winter Fuel Payments with MP expenses cut says petition
The petition was started by Yvonne Keegan, who calls for the benefit to be reinstated: "I know first hand the importance of Winter Fuel Payment - it's a lifeline to pensioners during the harsh winter months. Their heating bills can skyrocket, and they end up struggling, trying desperately to keep themselves warm. "Meanwhile, our politicians are living comfortably with expenses that would be considered extravagant by most standards. We believe that our politicians – who have a stable income, can afford to pay their heating bills and do not need taxpayer-funded expenses to support this aspect of their lifestyle." Once a petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government responds, and if 100,000 people sign, a debate in Parliament is considered. This petition currently has 110,421 signatures. Signatures can still be added here. How much do MPs get paid? MPs' basic salary rose 2.8% to £93,904 from April, after Parliament's expenses watchdog linked it to wider proposals for the public sector. They can also claim expenses including: Office expenses Office running costs Staffing costs Travel for staff Centrally purchased stationery Postage costs Central IT costs Communications allowance They also receive allowances towards having somewhere to live in London and in their constituency, and travelling between Parliament and their constituency. MPs can claim their utility bills, including gas, electricity, other fuel and water bills, on expenses at a single property, either in London or their constituency. This is only available to those who aren't MPs in London, or don't occupy 'grace and favour' accommodation in London. There is no upper limit on how much MPs can claim back on heating and fuel costs. Which pensioners will receive Winter Fuel payments after the changes? The Government has said more pensioners will receive winter fuel payments, but payments will not be universal. Chancellor Rachel Reeves told reporters that 'more people will get winter fuel payment this winter', adding that further details will be announced 'as soon as we possibly can'. She said: 'People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter.' My instant response to Winter Fuel Payment news & key message to the Chancellor (I heard while walking to the office, so pls forgive the fact it was done there and then for speed) — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 4, 2025 Pensions minister Torsten Bell told MPs that, while more pensioners will be eligible, there is no prospect of returning to universal winter fuel payments. Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee, Mr Bell said: 'Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment, the answer is no, the principle I think most people, 95% of people, agree, that it's not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires, and so we're not going to be continuing with that. 'But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible.' (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire) The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by Chancellor Rachel Reeves after Labour's landslide election victory last year, and it has been widely blamed for the party's collapse in support. The Government has insisted the policy was necessary to help stabilise the public finances, allowing the improvements in the economic picture which Sir Keir said could result in the partial reversal of the measure. Pension Credit is currently the primary benefit by which pensioners can receive the winter fuel payment. The credit tops up incomes for poorer pensioners and acts as a gateway to additional support, including the winter fuel payment. Recommended reading: What were the cuts to winter fuel payments, and who currently receives them? On July 29 2024, the Government announced that from winter 2024, winter fuel payments would be dependent on receiving another means-tested benefit, as part of measures to fill a 'black hole' in the public finances. This meant the number of pensioners receiving the payment was reduced by around 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. Asked what groups who are currently missing out on winter fuel payments he would like to include again, if possible, Mr Bell told the committee: 'We are committed to the principle that there should be some means-testing and that those on the highest incomes shouldn't be receiving winter fuel payments in the context of wider decisions we have to make – and fairness is an important part of that. 'You can then take from that that my priority is those who are on lower incomes but have missed out.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payments will not be issued to all pensioners this year
The UK Government has not yet set out who will now qualify for payments of between £200 and £300. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed more pensioners will receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year with details to be announced 'as soon as we possibly can'. However, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell told MPs that, while more pensioners will be eligible, there is no prospect of returning to universal Winter Fuel Payments. Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee, Mr Bell said: 'Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal Winter Fuel Payment, the answer is no, the principle I think most people, 95 per cent of people, agree, that it's not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires, and so we're not going to be continuing with that. 'But we will be looking at making more pensioner s eligible.' Payments of between £200 and £300 were only issued to pensioners on a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit last year, following the policy change announced by the Labour Government on July 29. Mr Bell said he did not have 'lots to add' to what Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had said recently about reinstating the payment. He told the MPs: 'Of course the announcement, as and when it's made, will be made to the House.' Asked what groups who are currently missing out on Winter Fuel Payments he would like to include again, if possible, Mr Bell told the cross party group of MPs: 'We are committed to the principle that there should be some means-testing and that those on the highest incomes shouldn't be receiving Winter Fuel Payments in the context of wider decisions we have to make - and fairness is an important part of that. 'You can then take from that that my priority is those who are on lower incomes but have missed out.' He told the MPs: 'I'm not getting into anything about the operation of that but just, you know, I think all of us will have heard from people on lower incomes who didn't receive Winter Fuel Payment this year and I understand the points they've raised. And so we'd like to see wider eligibility.' Put to him that a universal Winter Fuel Payment would be '100 per cent guaranteed' to reach those who needed it, Mr Bell told the committee: 'You have to wait for us to set out the policy and we will engage directly with the point you are raising.' Asked what work had been done with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to assess the practicality of recouping payments from higher rate taxpayers, Mr Bell said: 'We're looking at all of the policy options for how this eligibility can be extended, and when I've got more to tell you about that, I absolutely will.' Commenting on the hearing, Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, said the UK Government 'now faces a dilemma in determining exactly who should be eligible'. He suggested that one option could be to award the payment to everyone receiving a State Pension, clawing the money back from higher income households, potentially through their tax returns. Mr Selby said: 'This might look something like the process for clawing back child benefit for working households, although that has caused mass confusion among taxpayers bamboozled by the complexity of the rules.' Downing Street did not deny that details of how the Winter Fuel Payment may be restored to more pensioners could come at next week's Spending Review, on June 11. The Prime Minister's official spokesman told reporters: 'As the Prime Minister has said, we will only take decisions that are affordable. He has made clear that we want to expand the number of pensioners who are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.' Pension Credit Pension Credit is the most under-claimed benefit and is specifically aimed at providing additional financial support for older people on a low income - singles and couples. Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £4,300 in extra support during the coming months. Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, heating bills and Council Tax. An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it, how much you could get and where to get help filling in the form. Who can claim Pension Credit? There are two types of Pension Credit - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. To qualify for Guarantee Pension Credit, you must be State Pension age (66). Your weekly income will need to be less than the minimum amount the UK Government says you need to live on. This is £227.10 for a single person and £346.60 for a couple - this amount could be higher if you're disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs. You can only get Savings Credit if: you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, or you have a partner who reached State Pension age before this date and was already receiving it you have qualifying income of at least £198.27 a week for a single person and £314.34 a week for a couple How much could you receive from DWP? Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to: £227.10 for a single person £346.60 for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting) You might be able to get more than this if you're disabled or a carer, or you have certain housing costs. Savings Credit can give you up to: £17.30 a week for a single person £19.36 a week for a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting). The exact amount you'll get depends on your income and savings. Your income includes assumed income from savings and capital over £10,000. How to check eligibility for Pension Credit Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on here. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Expert help and advice is also available from: Independent Age Income Max Citizens Advice Age UK More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on here. Other help if you get Pension Credit If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as: Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in Council Tax discount Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payments or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit In May 2019, the law changed so a 'mixed age couple' - a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it - are considered to be a 'working age' couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits. This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age. How to use the Pension Credit calculator To use the calculator on you will need details of: earnings, benefits and pensions savings and investments You'll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options. This includes: Your date of birth Your residential status Where in the UK you live Whether you are registered blind Which benefits you currently receive How much you receive each week for any benefits you get Whether someone is paid Carer's Allowance to look after you How much you get each week from pensions - State Pension, private and work pensions Any employment earnings Any savings, investments or bonds you have Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week. All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support. There's also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you're receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim. Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator? You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner: are deferring your State Pension own more than one property are self employed have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit How to make a claim You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months. This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time. You will need: your National Insurance number information about your income, savings and investments your bank account details, if you're applying by phone or by post If you're backdating your claim, you'll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start. Apply online You can use the online service if: you have already claimed your State Pension there are no children or young people included in your claim Article continues below To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Business
- ITV News
Winter fuel payments to be restored for some by 'this winter', Reeves confirms
The chancellor has confirmed winter fuel payments will be restored for some pensioners from this winter, after the government u-turned on a cut to the allowance. Reeves said the changes to the payment "will be in place so that pensioners are paid this coming winter, and we will announce the detail of that and the level of that as soon as we possibly can. 'But people should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter.' Reeves made the surprise announcement during a speech on investment for transport projects outside of London, after weeks of speculation over whether more people would be eligible for the payments this winter. Sir Keir Starmer announced the major u-turn last month, saying the the government wants to "to ensure more pensioners are eligible" for the payments. The PM said he was able to make the change because the economy had improved, but he had faced growing pressure from within the Labour ranks to change course after the poor local election results for the party. Despite Reeves confirming more people will get the allowance this winter, the pensions minister also revealed there's no prospect of returning to universal winter fuel payments in the changes. Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee, Torsten Bell said: 'Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment, the answer is no, the principle I think most people, 95% of people, agree, that it's not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires, and so we're not going to be continuing with that. 'But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible.' What remains unclear is exactly how many more people will receive the payments. Starmer refused to answer when pressed by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch on how many people will get the winter fuel payment back during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. "Three weeks ago the winter fuel policy was set in stone, two weeks ago the prime minister u-turned, today the chancellor is rushing her plans because she just realised when winter is," Badenoch said. "So on behalf of the pensioners who want to know, can the prime minister be clear with us here and now how many of the ten million people who lost their winter fuel payments will get it back?" she asked. Starmer said the government has "stabilised the economy", and that's why they will "look again... at the eligibility for winter fuel, and of course we'll set out how we pay for it."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Winter fuel payment update as chancellor confirms benefit change timeline
Winter fuel payment update as chancellor confirms benefit change timeline More people will be eligible for the winter fuel payment under Rachel Reeves' new plans Rachel Reeves has confirmed that changes to the unpopular winter fuel cut will come in time for winter. The chancellor also confirmed that more pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance this year but payments will not be universal. Ms Reeves told reporters at a press conference that "more people will get winter fuel payment this winter", adding that further details will be announced "as soon as we possibly can". She said: "We have listened to the concerns that people had about the level of the means test and so we will be making changes to that. They will be in place so that pensioners are paid this coming winter. "People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter." Rachel Reeves has confirmed more pensioners will receive the winter fuel payment this year (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News ) Meanwhile pensions minister Torsten Bell told MPs that while more pensioners will be eligible there is no prospect of returning to universal winter fuel payments. Article continues below Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee Mr Bell, who is the MP for Swansea West, said: "Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment the answer is no. The principle I think most people, 95% of people, agree, that it's not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires and so we're not going to be continuing with that. "But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible." Prime Ministe Keir Starmer recently signalled a partial U-turn over the government's decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners. The Prime Minister said "as the economy improves" he wanted to look at widening eligibility for the payments worth up to £300. But officials have been unable to say how many more pensioners would be eligible. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. The decision to means test the previously-universal payment was one of the first announcements by Ms Reeves after Labour's landslide election victory last year and it has been widely blamed for the party's collapse in support. The government has insisted the policy was necessary to help stabilise the public finances, allowing the improvements in the economic picture which Mr Starmer said could result in the partial reversal of the measure. Article continues below In July 2024 the government announced that from winter 2024 winter fuel payments would be dependent on receiving another means-tested benefit as part of measures to fill a "black hole" in the public finances. This meant the number of pensioners receiving the payment was reduced by around 10million. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
UK Minister Rules Out Full Reversal of Winter Fuel Payment Cuts
The UK government has ruled out fully reversing the £1.8 billion cut to winter fuel payments for pensioners announced last year but does plan to 'make more pensioners eligible,' Pensions Minister Torsten Bell told parliament on Wednesday. 'Will there be a universal winter fuel payment? The answer is no,' Bell said Wednesday in an evidence session with the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee. 'Ninety-five percent of people agree that it's not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundred pounds to millionaires, so we will not be continuing with that. But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible.'
