Martin Lewis' MSE issues warning over Winter Fuel Payment being 'saved'

Martin Lewis has issued a warning over the £300 Winter Fuel Payment potentially being SAVED for all pensioners. The BBC Sounds podcast host has spoken out over a legal challenge in Scotland which could ringfence and protect the £300 allowance.

Pensioners have moved to take the UK and Scottish governments to court over the axe. Govan Law Centre says a successful court case could reverse cut for ten million people across the UK. The formerly universal benefit saw all pensioners get a lump sum of £200 or £300 to help with heating bills.

But chancellor Rachel Reeves said this year only the poorest pensioners will receive the payment. Peter and Florence Fanning from Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire have raised proceedings with the help of the Govan Law Centre against the Scottish Government and the UK work and pensions secretary over the policy.

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Mr Lewis tweeted: “Winter Fuel Payments could be reinstated for ALL pensioners this winter if new legal challenge succeeds – here's what you need to know.” But Money Saving Expert warned: "But all of this is far from guaranteed, as the case is still at a very early stage – though GLC says it’s seeking to fast-track proceedings.

"We'll keep this story up-to-date with the latest." Speaking to STV News in Edinburgh, 73-year-old Peter Fanning said: “I think this winter is looking bleak because [the cut] has come out the blue.

“Normally we’d have an opportunity to save for things like Christmas or whatever and we wouldn’t worry as much about the winter fuel bill but because it’s been taken off so quickly and so disastrously for us we are really going to suffer this winter and I think it’s going to affect my health.

“I’m anaemic, I have heart problems and I’m also asthmatic so coldness affects me badly and affects my bones. My blood doesn’t circulate right and I don’t make red blood cells so I do get cold very easily and in the winter it’s more so. So if I don’t heat my house I have to put on my bed socks, put the hot water bottle in and go to my bed.

“I don’t think that’s a good quality of life for anybody.”