British pensioners are set to receive £755 less in winter fuel support compared to their Irish counterparts following Labour’s recent policy change.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced mounting criticism for her decision to save £1.4billion by stripping around 10 million pensioners of payments worth up to £300.
The move has sparked controversy as Irish retirees over 70 with incomes up to £429 a week are eligible for energy bill support of £28 weekly during colder months.
This means Irish pensioners earning up to £22,308 annually can receive approximately £750 for heating costs.
In contrast, British pensioners with an income of £11,500 are now ineligible for any winter fuel payment support.
However, Labour has defended the decision to alter Winter Fuel Payments as necessary to protect the economy.
The Chancellor restricted Winter Fuel Payments to only those receiving Pension Credit
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The Chancellor restricted Winter Fuel Payments to those receiving Pension Credit with incomes no higher than £218 per week, which contrasts sharply with Ireland’s more generous system.
Baroness Ros Altmann, former pensions minister criticised the decision, stating: “Other countries recognise the need to protect the most vulnerable older citizens.
“But in order to take money from those who don’t need the payment, the decision has been made to take it away from the poorest too.”
She warned the decision was “truly irresponsible”, noting that no impact assessment had been conducted to mitigate risks for those affected.
Age UK’s Caroline Abrahams called for the Government to “right an obvious wrong” in the upcoming Budget, as the current approach “will make poor pensioners poorer, and take money away from sick and disabled pensioners who can ill afford to lose it”.
She added that the Irish fuel support system was now “better thought out than Britain’s”.
A 2017 Labour report had previously warned that thousands of pensioners could die if the allowance was scrapped.
It revealed that seven out of 10 disabled pensioners will lose the Winter Fuel Payment due to the cuts.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman defended the Government’s position, and said: “Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment.”
The spokesman also highlighted other forms of support: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with over 12 million set to see their state pension rise by £1,700 this parliament through protecting the triple lock.”
Additionally, many pensioners will benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with winter energy bills.
The Government maintains that these measures, along with the targeted winter fuel payments, will provide adequate support for pensioners in need while addressing the country’s financial challenges.