Labour’s winter fuel payment cuts set to hit disabled pensioners hardest – poll | Politics | News

Labour‘s winter fuel payment cuts will see 84% of pensioners with a long-term health condition or disability lose out, new polling shows.

The findings have been branded a “shocking indictment” of the plan to strip most OAPs of the allowance, with fresh calls for the Government to perform a U-turn ahead of the Budget.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said: “When they announced this policy Labour claimed they would protect those most in need. This polling is yet more evidence that those claims were totally empty.

“The vast majority of poor and disabled pensioners will lose this vital support. The Government must take the opportunity at the Budget to urgently reverse course.”

The survey for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition also found 81% of older people who are already worried about cold and damp in their homes say they will no longer get the winter fuel payment.

And it showed that one in five pensioners with long-term health conditions or disabilities who will not get the lifeline are worried about their safety this winter.

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The new data is yet another warning sign to ministers.

“The indications are that older people who no longer get the winter fuel payment are more likely to suffer in cold damp homes this winter than the general public.

“For those pensioners with a physical disability, the situation is potentially even worse. Many do not have access to the means-tested benefits needed to claim the winter fuel payment and the Government must urgently assess the impact on this group in particular and provide more help to them.

“Until the Government fully implements its plans to improve insulation and ventilation of buildings as well as stabilise energy costs, vulnerable households will continue to need financial support.

“That’s why the winter fuel payments were so important. The money provided help for older households to stay warm each winter.

“Sadly, now more older people are expected to live in cold damp homes this winter and this puts them at greater risk of ill health, with over a quarter of a million older people becoming so ill they will be forced to the doors of the NHS.”

Disability charity Scope warned that life is already more expensive for disabled people who tend to have higher electricity and gas bills.

James Taylor, Scope’s executive director of strategy and social change, said: “These findings are a shocking indictment of a plan that will leave older disabled people in an impossible situation this winter.

“Life already costs more when you’re disabled. Higher electricity bills because of medical equipment to power. Higher heating bills because of health conditions affected by the cold.

“Since the start of this crisis, we’ve heard from disabled people who are going without heating and forgoing medical treatment. Sacrifices that put their health at risk.

“While some disabled pensioners receive pension credit, there are an alarming number who will miss out this winter. We’d urge anyone who thinks they could be eligible to apply, or to get in touch with our helpline for advice.

“We desperately need a longer-term solution for the eye-watering energy costs many disabled people face, which is why we’re calling for the Government to bring in discounted bills for disabled households.”

The Opinium poll of more than 2,000 people, carried out earlier this month, found that 88% of respondents said they would no longer receive the winter fuel allowance.

The figure stands at 90% for Labour voters and 89% for Tory backers.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “These new figures highlight the sheer numbers of older people who will miss out this winter, many of whom are used to relying on the winter fuel payment to heat their homes.

“With our own analysis showing that 80% of those living on incomes below the poverty line or just above it will no longer receive the payment, it’s clear that the cut will run deep and affect many of the poorest pensioners in our society.

“It’s not too late for ministers to change their minds and pause the policy until next year but time is running short, winter is only just around the corner and we know that pensioners without much money coming in are worried about how they will cope.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will deliver her Budget on October 30, announced in July that previously universal winter fuel payments of up to £300 would be restricted to only those on pension credit.

She blamed a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have disputed.

The change, which comes as energy bills went up this month, will see 10 million pensioners miss out on the allowance and is expected to save the Treasury £1.4 billion.

But it has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition MPs, charities, unions and some Labour politicians.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who has been a vocal critic, said: “Even at this late stage, I urge the Government to pause their proposals and ensure that the frailest can get through this winter warm, well and safely.”

The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC), which scrutinises the Government’s welfare policies, last week criticised the failure to carry out a full impact assessment.

The Department for Work and Pensions came under fire last month for slipping out figures on a Friday night based on “equality analyses” which showed 71% of those with a disability would miss out.

The Daily Express previously revealed that the policy is estimated to cost the NHS at least £169 million a year.

A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”