Pensioners in certain areas to get DWP Winter Fuel Payment supplement as cuts branded 'grave mistake'

Retirees in Northern Ireland could be eligible for an £80 supplement while their Winter Fuel Payments are taken away this year. Following the central government’s decision to stand fast on the restrictions in eligibility, the Northern Ireland Executive is making moves to help fill the financial hole for their constituents.

The Executive has committed to an additional £17million to fund the hundreds of thousands of pensioners who will no longer be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payments from the DWP. With just short of 300,000 pensioners in the country, this fund could provide up to £80 for each of the retirees losing the benefit.

While this is admittedly a far cry from the usual £200 or £300 bonus some were expecting this winter, it is hoped this substitute will provide some small relief for those struggling under Ofgem’s 10% price cap rise on energy bills last month. The Executive’s move has also placed pressure on other devolved governments to stand against the central government’s decision.

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Unite, which has been avidly campaigning against the Winter Fuel Payment cuts, has praised the Executive, with General Secretary Sharon Graham saying: “This is a first step in moving away from this cruel policy. The Northern Ireland executive has listened and responded to Unite’s campaign. While it doesn’t fully restore winter fuel payments it will provide some much-needed respite to pensioners this winter.

“It is now imperative that the other devolved nations follow suit and take action to reverse the UK government’s cut for their pensioners. The winter fuel cut was a grave mistake which exposes vulnerable people to unnecessary risks as the cold weather approaches. The UK government must change course on this and acknowledge that picking the pockets of pensioners is wrong.”