A petition to protect the Winter Fuel Payment from being means-tested is within 6,000 signatures of reaching its target.
In July, the new Labour Government’s Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the energy bill benefit will be reserved for those on low income who are claiming benefits.
In response, Age UK launched the “Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners” petition with the goal of reaching 400,000 signatures.
Under the Winter Fuel Payment, every pensioner is entitled to up to £300 in energy bill support every winter.
However, with the recently announced changes, pensioners will now need to be in receipt of means-tested benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to claim.
Experts have warned that millions of pensioners are at risk of losing access to the Winter Fuel Payment due to the low uptake of the DWP benefit.
The petition from Age UK states: “Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision.
“Millions of struggling pensioners won’t receive up to £300 they rely on to pay their bills. We believe as many as 2 million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut.”
Does Labour hate pensioners? Vote now in the poll above and have your full say in the comments below.