'It's disgusting' - Grimsby pensioners share views on Winter Fuel Allowance change

From left, Julie Bodnar, Pauline Genford and Nancy Wilkinson, at Age UK's cafe in Grimsby town centre
-Credit: (Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)


Grimsby pensioners have shared their views on Winter Fuel Allowance changes, with several stating they are "disgusted".

The new government proposes to end the universal nature of Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners. Currently, if someone is born before September 23, 1958, a household is entitled to a one-off £200 payment each year. This rises to £300 when over 80.

Changes would see only pensioners on pension credit, or certain other benefits, be eligible. Most who previously received it would lose out.

READ MORE:Winter Fuel Allowance: Melanie Onn describes 'difficult decision' after vote in parliament

READ MORE:State pensioners to get at least £233 this winter after losing DWP Winter Fuel Payment

The move is being justified to save money, with the new government blaming the old for a claimed £22bn black hole in public spending. Grimsby Live spoke to Grimsby pensioners to find out their views. Most were opposed, with several saying they were "disgusted".

Pam, walking in Victoria Street South, said she was "disgusted, absolutely. I can't think of another word, to be honest. I don't need need it personally, but I'm entitled to it, I've worked all my life."

Robert Johnstone, 76, said he was on pension credit. He will be one of less than 20 per cent of those currently eligible in North East Lincolnshire unaffected by the means-testing. He had sympathy for those due to miss out. "It's going to spoil it for a lot of people what depend on something like that each year. It helps with the bills."

"I'm disgusted," said Joan Carratt, 84, who added she was worried about the loss of the £300. She had worked from the age of 15 until 82 in various jobs, one of three pensioner women to separately recount starting work at 15-years-old.

Joan Carratt, 84, who only retired at 82
Joan Carratt, 84, who only retired at 82 -Credit:Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive

Two female pensioners outside Freshney Place also felt it was "terrible". One suggested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was "looking after the young ones". The other identified the difference between being on one side of the threshold and just on the other. "The thing is it's like the cut-off point, there's not a lot in it, it's like £2 above and you don't get it."

Visiting Age UK North East Lincolnshire's warm and welcoming facility in Osborne Street, there was just such a person who will narrowly miss out. Nancy Wilkinson said she was "just over the limit".

"I get £3 a week more than allowed for pension credit." Extremely knowledgeable on the subject, she criticised the government for not carrying out an impact assessment of the change. "They didn't do an assessment before they put it in place." This is something the government has confirmed it did not do. She also didn't think it fair pensioners abroad in warmer climes could still get it. "Why should they be getting winter fuel allowance abroad, when it's warm, and here it's cold."

"You know when the bills were coming up, you'd have that money coming in," she later said of the assurance the winter fuel payment could provide. Grimsby Live spoke to several pensioners in a discussion at a table in the Age UK facility. It runs a lunch club every Tuesday and Wednesday at its Grimsby office at 12pm. For £3.50 for members, and £4.50 for non-members, people can get a hot meal, pudding and drink.

Nancy Wilkinson, pictured, felt strongly about the issue, and said she was just above the threshold to be entitled, if the change goes ahead
Nancy Wilkinson, pictured, felt strongly about the issue, and said she was just above the threshold to be entitled, if the change goes ahead -Credit:Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive

Julie Bodnar is on pension credit, so will continue to receive it. But she was concerned about any changes to the free bus pass regime. "A lot of us are going to be really stuck," she said, later adding: "Without this, like I say, if they do away with the bus pass, a lot of us won't be able to come."

However, a Labour spokesperson told Birmingham Live this week that it has no plans to withdraw the free bus pass scheme, stating it knows how vital it is. Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes Labour MP Melanie Onn previously wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, about constituents just above the future threshold. She took a "difficult decision" to vote for the winter fuel allowance change this month, but said her letter had resulted in positive concessions. These included a commitment to backdate new pension credit payments for new applicants.

She also attended on Friday, September 20, an advice surgery on Winter Fuel Allowance in Grimsby, along with representatives from Age UK, Citizens Advice and other organisations. Grimsby and Cleethorpes Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Nicola Aisthorpe has also highlighted people who could miss out, despite being eligible.

"A big problem is that only about six in 10 people eligible for Pension Credits actually take them up. There is currently nothing in place to address the low take-up of pension credits before the cold weather arrives this autumn, and the government has failed to introduce effective measures for those with small occupational pensions that disqualify them from receiving additional support."

Cllr Aisthorpe added with the average energy bill set to rise £149 a year from October, "this will be an especially worrying time for people who had perhaps been counting on the now axed winter fuel payment to help them out again this year". She called it "deeply concerning" that Ms Onn had voted for the change.