DWP issues new Winter Fuel Payment update after £300 boost legal challenge

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released a fresh statement amid discussions about the s £300 Winter Fuel Allowance after legal challenges arose in Scotland.

The DWP has committed its support to helping pensioners after announcing that only those on Pension Credit would receive the payment.

It comes in the wake of legal action initiated by GLC on behalf of a pensioner couple in Scotland, now finding themselves ineligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

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There's no certainty that the impending legal case will result in the restoration of Winter Fuel Payments. Should the case succeed, however, any alterations made to the Winter Fuel Payments might be declared unlawful, which could prompt the court to mandate a comprehensive impact assessment by the Government.

A DWP spokesman said: "We are committed to supporting pensioners with millions set to see their full new State Pension rise by £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock. Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it's right we target support to those who need it most."

Additionally, the DWP highlighted that "Over a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, while many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with their energy bills over winter."

GLC's main contention deals with the Government's adherence to statutory responsibilities regarding the alterations to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility. Central to this dispute is GLC's assertion that the Government did not conduct an exhaustive equality impact assessment, contradicting requirements, reports Birmingham Live.

In relation to an inquiry made under the Freedom of Information Act, the DWP divulged a 'High Level Equality Analysis' concerning the recent reform and maintained: "The Government has followed its legal and statutory duties ahead of introducing these changes and will continue to do so."

A spokesperson for the Government refrained from commenting specifically on the ongoing legal proceedings, choosing instead to emphasise that with the "dire state of public finances we have inherited", it was correct to "target support to those who need it most".

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