FUEL poverty rates in England have remained roughly at 13% over the last five years.
The scrapping of Winter Fuel Payments, however, has heightened concerns among many about the approaching autumn and winter seasons. To assist consumers, heating specialist BOXT has outlined the changes to the payments and the additional support options available.
What are Winter Fuel Payments?
First introduced in 1997, Winter Fuel Payments were previously available to anyone in the UK who had reached pension age to help them with the cost of heating bills.
Paid annually every winter, the universal payments ranged between £100 and £300. However, in the winter of 2022/23, 11.4 million payments were made, with up to £600 available due to extra cost-of-living payments.
So what's changing?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the payments will no longer be universal this winter in England and Wales, and only pensioners on means-tested benefits will qualify. This means households collecting Pension Credit with someone aged over 80 can claim £300, while households collecting Pension Credit will receive £200.
Ultimately, the changes mean an estimated 10 million people will no longer qualify for the payments. The change does not apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where Winter Fuel Payments are devolved, and they will make their own rules.
The Scottish government is introducing the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, with payments of up to £300 available for anyone over state pension age. The Northern Irish government has yet to confirm its plans for the coming winter.
Who is eligible this year?
Esta historia es de la edición September 11, 2024 de The Herald.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 11, 2024 de The Herald.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Devonport dry dock reopens after overhaul
THE biggest dry dock in Devonport, known as 9 Dock, has reopened following a major refurbishment project worth £200m completed under a contract with Babcock International Group.
Schumacher is sacked by Stoke City
FORMER title-winning Plymouth Argyle manager Steven Schumacher is out at Stoke City after just nine months at the Staffordshire club.
EXCELLENT GRIMSHAW
ROONEY HAILS THE PERFORMANCE OF NEW GOALKEEPER
Rooney happy to see Argyle rewarded for their efforts
HEAD COACH NEVER LOST FAITH IN HIS PLAYERS DESPITE TRAILING AT HALF-TIME TO SUNDERLAND
Piastri gives McLaren a title headache
F1 Team principal Andrea Stella says McLaren will continue to review the arrangement between their drivers after Oscar Piastri underlined his talent with a thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory.
Draper's mission to finish on a high
JACK Draper is looking to bounce back in Asia as he targets a strong end to the season following the disappointment of Great Britain’s Davis Cup exit.
PM's 'great interest' in Italy's migrant deals
THE UK has shown “great interest” in Italy’s migrant deal with Albania, Giorgia Meloni said, as Sir Keir Starmer claimed his Government would make a return to “British pragmatism” on migration.
Man is held over Trump 'assassination attempt'
A MAN was in custody last night after former US president Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Disgraced presenter Edwards is spared jail
DISGRACED former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been spared an immediate jail sentence after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven.
Healthy NHS 'critical' for UK economy, says Davey
CARE and the NHS, which Sir Ed Davey described as “critical” for the economy, will remain his party’s focus going into the budget, the Liberal Democrat leader has said.