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People are calling on the government to make a U-turn on their decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment amid freezing conditions.

The Winter Fuel Payment was introduced in 1997 by then-chancellor, Gordon Brown. It was intended to help older people with their heating costs during the colder months.

It’s £200 to £300, depending on age, paid annually in autumn and was paid to all pensioners, irrespective of income or wealth.

But in July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, announced that the payment would now only be given to older people who received pension credit – the very poorest pensioners.

This is expected to reduce the number who get the money from more than 11 million to about 1.5 million.

This was mainly done to save money. Reeves has made cuts to plug a £22 billion hole in the government’s finances left by the Conservatives, a deficit she says had not been anticipated.

Limiting the winter fuel payment will save about £1.5 billion a year.

This proved controversial, being very heavily criticised by charities representing older people, and by a series of trade unions. It is also opposed by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Scottish National party.

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said government was committed to the pension “triple lock” which would increase by £460 next year.

“That means pensioners under Labour will be better off because we are going to stabilise the economy after that lot lost control of it,” he said.

This comes amid freezing temperatures and snow hitting the UK. Today (January 10), the government UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its amber Cold-Health Alert (CHA).

Originally set to end midday on Sunday, 12 January, the alert will now remain in place until 9 am on Tuesday, 14 January, with the Met Office forecasting severe cold conditions continuing well into next week.

Dr. Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, previously warned of the risks posed by the ongoing freeze.

“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions,” Dr. Sousa said.

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