DWP Winter Fuel Allowance change branded 'grotesque' and 'evil' by pensioners
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to make changes to Winter Fuel Allowance eligibility, prompting a scathing reaction from a charity.
Pensioners have said they feel "ashamed" following the new Labour Party government's controversial decision to slash the Winter Fuel Allowance, a move orchestrated by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that has been slammed as "grotesque". The proposed overhaul of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) eligibility rules is causing deep anxiety among the elderly.
The charity Independent Age, which supports older individuals, has reported a surge in pensioners seeking help amid fears over "drastic" government reductions. Speaking to Sky News, Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age, said: "This data from our helpline clearly shows that many people in later life are worried about the UK government's decision to limit the winter fuel payment to those that receive pension credit."
She also pointed out: "The people we speak to are frightened about losing a vital lifeline this winter, many are struggling on a low income and will be forced to make drastic cutbacks. Others tell us it is the first time they have reached out for support, as the winter ahead feels very bleak."
Kevin McGrath, 81, a former social worker and Catholic monk from Corby, Northants, shared his "deep concern about the winter" and blasted the government's decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners as "evil". He decried the targeting of the financially vulnerable, saying: "Of all the wealth in Britain, they target the ones who have very little in life."
A critic slammed the government's approach, telling Birmingham Live: "I fully understand that the government has difficult decisions to make, but why are they starting at the bottom, why don't they start at the top. It's evil. It's a crime."
However, a government spokesperson speaking on Sky News, insisted: "Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it's right we target support to those who need it most. We urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to pension credit to check their eligibility and have already seen a 115 percent increase in claims following the launch of our awareness campaign."
Furthermore, the government highlighted the upcoming rise in the average state pension, crediting their commitment to the triple lock guarantee. This policy, established in 2012, promises yearly increases by whichever is highest among inflation, 2.5 per cent, or annual earnings growth, ensuring pensioners receive enhanced payments.
