Winter fuel payments for pensioners scrapped

[MidnightPatrol]

Unless they are in receipt of pension credit or other benefits.

I suspect this will be the first of many benefits which will be restricted as part of cost-cutting measures.

What else might we see / should we see?

I used to visit so many old people who had had really hard lives and were just about making ends meet. There is such hatred for elderly people on MN. They aren't all rich.
I have far more concern about the super rich who exploit low paid workers and hide all their money in the Cayman Islands and other off shore facilities, move their businesses out of the UK so they don't pay their tax. These people could do so much good if they just paid their tax like the rest of us.
Elderly people pay income tax just like everyone else.
Means testing is expensive. Obviously the government will have to do the sums and decide on the best use of tax payers' money.

Can't believe the ignorance of some commenting on here. You only get pension credit if your income is less than around £11,000, that means MILLIONS of people close to the breadline losing hundreds that go to paying their HEATING bills which are 50% higher than they were 2 years ago. SHAMEFUL

So you want the Tories back?
Astonishing

As a lifelong Labour supporter, you'd surely understand more than most how shambolically terrible the last government was; morally, economically and financially and it should come as absolutely no surprise to you that they hid their worst errors. I listened to all of Rachel Reeves' speech today and found her entirely credible.

I find the assumption that my generation had it all appalling - what makes you think that? Couldn’t afford to live in London so moved out to a much cheaper area. Interest rates were around 15% in those days. Drove an old banger that jumped out of gear when you went round a corner, house was furnished with stuff from secondhand shops and family. Worked from the age of 16 to 66 so paid my taxes for 50 years. Only benefit ever claimed was child benefit. It took many years of hard graft to get to a reasonable life style but never managed to afford a car newer than 5 years old. I’m not rich but I manage - perhaps they should drop the threshold for child benefit too.

Not eligible. I wasn't saying I needed the money - just pointing out that I am on the full state pension but many others are not.

I am also the pensioner most beloved of MNetters - I downsized from my "forever" family home and fabulous garden to a little 2 bed. this meant I released equity and can top up my pension for a good few years, so not eligible for any credits.

If I'd stayed in the old house I would be in serious financial trouble, but OTOH would be eligible for pension credits and the WFA 🤷🏼‍♀️.

Labour said in 2019 taking the free TV license of over 75s "was totally callous"

So what do Labour call this ?

I'm sure that Dr's will be quite happy, with their new 22% pay increase, to treat pensioners for hypothermia & pneumonia brought on by them being unable to pay heating bills!

Labour weren't in power two years ago so had nothing to do with the rise in heating bills. What's shameful is the mess and deception the Tories left, and the fact they still used taxpayers' funds to bribe wealthy pensioners like my parents with the Winter Fuel Allowance to vote for them. My parents never even noticed the money going into their account as they didn't need a penny of it.....that's a shameful waste of money.

Not just pensioners. People on UC (that don't work) are on less than that again, and don't get WFA.

Corbyn was Labour leader then.
In 1975 Mrs Thatcher recommended people voted 'remain' in the EC referendum that year.
Things change over time.

My dad was getting this and he is absolutely loaded, it was obscene.

Yep don't save, don't pay into your pension, don't push for promotion as if you do we will punish you for it.

Do none of the above and the taxpayer will pay.

Message received 🙈

So if the adults all throw in £100 for her help bringing up all those children you can make sure her heating is paid?

Good. It should be only for those who need it.

I am a pensioner not eligible for pension credits or rent allowance but I still have rent to pay, I’m on an average pensioner income, I struggle as it is so don’t have a bright future if this change comes in. I’ve paid tax on my earnings for 45years and the are to tax me again 😔

Mt df doesn’t need the money.

My dm though is only just above the entitlement to benefits limit.
It will hit dm really hard and I know she’ll struggle in winter.
I’ve already mentioned to dh that we’ll have to help.

I can’t see Labour lasting above a term and I’m a Labour supporter.
They refuse to remove the 2 dc benefits cap.
Pensioners this winter will be dying of hypothermia to save £1.5 billion.
And £6 billion to be spent on housing asylum seekers.

An old lady told me many years ago that Great Britain makes a very good landlady but is a very bad mother.
Never a truer word was spoken.

well quite, that’s the point, they should use their assets to fund their heating them. They shouldn’t be just saving the assets to pass on while being subsidised by the taxpayers.

but I still have rent to pay, I’m on an average pensioner income, I struggle as it is so don’t have a bright future if this change comes in. I’ve paid tax on my earnings for 45years and the are to tax me again

Think this is fair enough, my DP get it currently & DDad is a higher rate tax payer as a pensioner, despite their moaning about COL they have a considerably better lifestyle than we do!

Your kidding, aren't you? There are loads on Twitter urging their colleagues to reject the offer!

Honestly,I think it's because the media get to choose the focus,at least at the "hot take" stage: I think the care cap will get looked at here and there by the odd journalist in the coming days. But I think the wfp is an 'easier' story to tell for a lot of people who may not want to think about stuff much now,as so many feel helpless (as I do to an extent,to be honest)

But many do need it and won’t get it.
Some old people will die because of this decision.
That’s a fact.

I’m glad, I know of many who receive it and really don’t need it. Even putting it towards a holiday or adding to savings. There are working families, struggling, in more need, where has their help been?

A lot of people struggle from week to week/month to month, and have to pay rent - or escalating mortgage payment, and are on an 'average income.' They don't get £300 thrown at them to help them with their winter bills though. Many have children to support too.