Winter Fuel Payment cuts force pensioners to skip meals and showers
Pensioners are eating fewer hot meals, giving up showers, and lowering their heating following a cut in a government benefit. The Winter Fuel Payment, paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), used to be offered to everyone over state pension age.
It provided a lifeline of £200 to £300, but one of Labour's initial changes following last year's election saw the eligibility criteria tightened. The benefit is now only available to those over state pension age who are also on certain benefits.
The change has reportedly resulted in more than 10 million pensioners losing their seasonal payment. It also meant that just over a million people retained the benefit, reports LancsLive.
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A recent survey by Unite the Union has shed light on the impact this has had on pensioners. It highlighted that many are experiencing mental health issues, with some using public facilities such as libraries to escape the cold.
The survey also found that 16 per cent have reduced their intake of hot meals and a third are showering less frequently to save money. More than half of respondents reported lowering their heating and 63 per cent admitted they felt colder more often this winter compared to previous years.
A total of 17 per cent of people said their health had deteriorated or symptoms had worsened because of the measures they've had to adopt. Mark Boothroyd, a Unite shop steward and emergency department nurse at St Thomas' Hospital, gave his own perspective on the situation.
Working in the NHS this winter, he said it was "almost as bad as it was during Covid". He added that there are "lots of elderly patients with flu and other seasonal illnesses", suggesting that the change to the Winter Fuel Payment is "likely" increasing the strain on healthcare services.
The survey results coincide with a protest organised by Unite in Westminster, which called for the cuts to Winter Fuel Payments to be reversed and suggested a consideration of wealth taxes instead. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Our survey shows that pensioners are suffering real-life effects of this needless cut to winter fuel allowance. Retirees should be able to live with dignity after a lifetime of work."
A spokesperson for the Government said: "We do not want to see anyone suffering this winter, which is why we have continued the Warm Home Discount and extended the Household Support Fund which will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.
"We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock. In addition, in November, Energy UK, in collaboration with the Government, published a Winter 2024 Commitment which promises £500m of industry support to billpayers this winter."
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