9 in 10 East Lancs pensioners to lose winter fuel payments

Analysis of the number of people currently eligible for the annual cash handout, compared with the number of people on Pension Credit, has shown almost 80,000 older people in East Lancs will be affected.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves last month announced all pensioners not in receipt of benefits would lose the annual payment of between £200 and £300, designed to help cover higher heating and energy bills during the cold winter months.

The decision came after Ms Reeves accused the former Conservative government of leaving a £22 billion ‘black hole’ in public finances through unfunded spending commitments.

She said £5.5bn of savings have been made through spending cuts, which include the winter fuel payment changes.

The previous, blanket-style payment of winter fuel payments meant all pensioners, from the destitute to multi-millionaires, received the cash, but the new setup will means-test the payment to support those most in need of it.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has cut winter fuel payments

However, the National Pensioners Convention has slammed the decision, calling it “ill-advised”.

It said two million pensioners live in poverty with a further million in precarious financial positions, and fear the change means “many pensioners may not survive to see the Spring”.

More than 260,000 people have also signed an Age UK petition calling for the policy to be revisited. Age UK Lancashire was approached for comment but did not respond.

The worst affected borough in East Lancashire will be the Ribble Valley, where a huge 94.3 per cent of pensioners will lose the winter fuel payment. Of the 14,290 older people in the borough, just 809 will keep the payment under Labour’s plans.

A Ribble Valley Council spokesperson said various grants are available to residents, such as the Green Homes and Affordable Warmth grants, to improve their home's energy efficiency or repair and replace boilers, plus the warm homes discount scheme, which can help residents save £140 a year on their bills.

There are fears the cuts could kill off swathes of elderly people

He added: “We provide a range of help and support to pensioners and other eligible individuals and families, either directly or working with partners, to help them keep their home warm and energy efficient throughout the year.

“Ribble Valley, along with other local authorities in Lancashire, also works through Cosy Homes in Lancashire (ChiL) to make homes warmer and healthier by providing a range of help and financial support.

“Wider support is also available through the Government’s Household Support Fund which provides help with food costs which, in turn, could free up money that can then help with energy bills etc.

“We’d urge anyone who is struggling and feels they need help to contact our housing team on 01200 425111.”

In Rossendale, 87 per cent of people will lose the payment, while in Hyndburn the figure is 84.9 per cent.

In Pendle, the figure is 84.8 per cent, while in Burnley it is 84.6 per cent.

Blackburn in Darwen will be the least affected borough by the change, but it will still see more than four in five pensioners lose their winter fuel payment, with the number in receipt dropping from more than 20,000 to just 3,835.

Blackburn with Darwen Council was unable to provide comment by deadline.

Burnley Council, Hyndburn Council, Pendle Council, and Rossendale Council were all contacted for comment on the impact of the cuts, and what support is available to those affected by the change, but none of the authorities responded.