Pensioners Face Tough Winter Amid Fuel Payment Cuts

Citizens Advice warns that pensioners are in for a challenging winter as the government plans to end winter fuel payments for 10 million seniors. Starting next month, those not receiving pension credit or other benefits will lose annual payments ranging from £100 to £300.

Dame Clare Moriarty, who leads Citizens’ Advice, will meet with energy firms and the government on Wednesday to push for more targeted support for those with the greatest needs and lowest incomes. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the cut, citing the need to address a £22 billion gap in public finances.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged that public spending challenges might worsen before they improve. Meanwhile, the Energy Consumers Minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has organized a meeting to discuss how to support those struggling with rising energy costs, as the energy price cap is set to increase by 10% in England, Scotland, and Wales.

Dame Clare emphasized the importance of pension credit, an underclaimed benefit that qualifies recipients for winter fuel payments. However, some concerns about cutting payments could lead to a public health crisis. She called for introducing a “social tariff” to provide discounted bills for those in need and urged energy companies to improve their efficiency and payment plans.

Simon Francis, from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, highlighted that rising energy costs would hit older people with disabilities or health issues hardest. Age UK has launched a petition urging the government to reconsider its decision, as it could severely impact up to two million pensioners.

The Conservatives are challenging the policy change in the House of Commons, arguing that it was a difficult but necessary choice. However, critics like Paul Johnson from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggest that the financial gap could have been managed differently.

The upcoming meeting will also address a report showing little progress in reducing fuel poverty in recent years. Caroline Flint, chair of the Committee on Fuel Poverty, stated that while the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have overshadowed the issue, more action is needed to make energy bills more affordable and to develop a solid strategy to combat fuel poverty.

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