A petition calling for the government to rethink changes to the Winter Fuel Payments has been signed by more than 150,000 people, with a recent surge following speculation that the policy may be changed.
The benefit was previously available to almost everyone in the UK who was of state pension age to help cover their heating costs. But from last winter only those on Pension Credit or means-tested benefits will get the Winter Fuel Payment - £200 or £300 for people aged over 80.
Feedback from last week's local election result, in which many canvassers reported that the controversial policy had lost Labour votes, prompted reports that the party may be considering changing the rules for this winter.
The petition was started by pensioner Carole Webb, and can still be signed on the Change site. It says: "I am a pensioner who will be critically impacted by the decision to revoke the winter fuel payments. The abrupt loss of £500 per year will burden me with the necessity to work additional hours, despite being 68 years old, in order to make ends meet.
"Like me, countless pensioners throughout the UK were relying upon these payments to help manage the cost of living during the colder months. As per the latest statistics from Age UK, over 12 million people, which constitutes around one in five people in the UK are aged 65 and above (Age UK, 2020).
"This policy change therefore, negatively impacts a significant part of the community resulting in undue stress and hardship. The reinstatement of winter fuel payments for pensioners should be considered a priority - not just for me, but for the millions of others whose health and well-being depends on it. We firmly urge the government to review and rectify this decision. Your support through a signature can drive this change."
Recommended reading:
- Winter Fuel Payments should return for all pensioners, say MPs
- Martin Lewis' good news for anyone with under £20,000 in savings
- DWP Cost of Living Payment report shows more support needed
Martin Lewis slams Winter Fuel Payment decision - again
The decision was also criticised again by Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis, in a tweet where he highlighted reports that the government may partially U-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment cut by raising the effective eligibility threshold from £11,500.
Reports Govt may partially U-turn on the Winter Fuel Payment cut by raising the effective eligibility threshold from £11,500.
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) May 6, 2025
That'd be welcome but still doesn't fix the worst underlying problem... the means testing mechanism (ie to get it you must claim Pension Credit) is…
"That'd be welcome but still doesn't fix the worst underlying problem - the means testing mechanism (ie to get it you must claim Pension Credit) is flawed," he said.
"Around 700,000 of the most vulnerable pensioners, already earning under £11,500, don't get Winter Fuel Payments because they don't go through the overly arduous process of claiming Pension Credit. Thus they miss out in both the important support that brings and on Winter Fuel Payments.
"That needs to change. None of this is new. Many of us have been shouting it until we're blue in the face. If a fix is to come, let it be a proper one, not just an electoral sticking plaster."
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