Martin Lewis says 'all' state pensioners could STILL get £300 Winter Fuel Payment
Martin Lewis has explained how "all" state pensioners can get the £300 Winter Fuel Payment - even if they don't get Pension Credit. Winter Fuel Payments could be reinstated for ALL pensioners this winter if a new legal challenge succeeds.
On its website, Mr Lewis' MSE team says the Court could void the regulations which brought the changes into effect and order the Labour Party government to do a full impact assessment. This would take us back to the position we would have been in before the policy was announced, MSE said.
The government could take the judgment away and make the same decision again having done the correct impact assessment. But it would not have enough time to do this before the payments are due to be made in November and December.
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It would effectively mean reinstating the payments for all pensioners this winter, MSE said. Govan Law Centre (GLC) is asking Edinburgh’s Court of Session – the country’s highest court – to find the cuts to the benefit “unlawful”.
It confirmed it is representing a couple from Coatbridge - Peter and Florence Fanning - who are in receipt of the state pension, but ineligible for the winter fuel payment (WFP) due means testing regulations. Former first minister Alex Salmond has given his backing after proceedings for a judicial review were raised in the Court of Session.
Changes to eligibility were announced by the UK Government in August amid “difficult” financial decisions, and the Scottish Government confirmed it would means test the payment as a result earlier this month.
Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh, Mr Fanning, 73, said: “We intend to sue both the London and Scottish governments, since both are guilty through action and inaction, of damaging the welfare of pensioners. We are hoping to be successful, given the manifest injustice involved, however, my work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome – I believe this is one such battle.”