RACHEL Reeves has announced that the Government will be ending Winter Fuel Payments for those not in receipt of benefits.
It comes as the Chancellor said there was a £22 billion black hole in the public finances as she accused the Tories of covering up the scale of the problems.
Removing the payment for millions of pensioners will save £1.5 billion per year, she said.
People born before 25 September 1957 were previously able to get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.
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Now, only those households with someone aged over state pension age who get one of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance will continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments.
The Scottish Government is already looking to replace this payment, The National understands, and have been approached for further comment.
Speaking at the Commons on Monday, Reeves sparked groans from the opposition benches as she announced the “difficult decision” to make changes to winter fuel payment eligibility.
She said the previous Tory government “repeatedly, knowingly and deliberately” made spending commitments without knowing where the money was coming from.
“Today I’m making the difficult decision that those not in receipt of pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits will no longer receive the winter fuel payment from this year onwards," Reeves said.
“The Government will continue to provide winter fuel payments worth £200 for households receiving pension credit or £300 to households in receipt of pension credit with someone over the age of 80.
“Let me be clear, this is not a decision I wanted to make, nor is it the one that I expected to make, but these are the necessary and urgent decisions that I must make.
“It is the responsible thing to do to fix the foundations of our economy and bring back economic stability.”
Reacting to the announcement, consumer expert Martin Lewis said bills will now be unaffordable for millions of people.
The founder of the website MoneySavingExpert, said: "The targeting of Winter Fuel Payments is too narrow with the winter we have coming.
“Pensioners were already due to get less as this will be the first time since winter 2022 they haven’t got the up to £300 extra winter fuel cost of living top-up.
The UK Government said: “This will better target support for heating costs at those who need it.”
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