State pensioners plan to only heat and live in 'one room' after DWP rule change

A fifth of people were already planning to do this but an extra 29 per cent will undertake the extreme measure as a result of the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) rule shake-up.

Nearly half of pensioners who lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment are "planning to only heat and live in one room". A fifth of people were already planning to do this but an extra 29 per cent will undertake the extreme measure as a result of the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) rule shake-up.

49% of older people in England who will lose their Winter Fuel Payment said they were planning to only heat and spend time in one room. 20% were already planning to do this but now an additional 29% said they will resort to this measure because of the change.

Robert Trewhella, 68, from Cornwall will be handing in the box of signatures to Downing Street. He said: “It’s not right that so many older people will have money taken away from them this winter. My State Pension puts me just £2 above the Pension Credit threshold, meaning I will lose the Winter Fuel Payment. I only have a small income and in the past the extra money has helped keep my flat warm.

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“Hopefully the UK Government listens and decides to protect the Winter Fuel Payment for older people that can’t afford to lose it. I am worried about the winter ahead, I hope it doesn’t get too cold as I don’t think I will be able to turn the heating on often.”

Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, continued: “If the UK Government is determined to go ahead with this change at some point in the future, there must be an immediate action plan to ensure all eligible older people receive Pension Credit, which will also guarantee them the Winter Fuel Payment.

"We would also want to see the payment extended to those on low incomes but not in receipt of Pension Credit, for example older renters who receive Housing Benefit. Older renters are more likely to live in poverty and need this extra financial support.

“In the long-term an appropriate income to avoid financial hardship in later life needs to be established. If all parties can agree on this amount, then robust plans can be put in place to ensure everyone has enough money to live well when they are older.” Matthew McGregor, 38 Degrees CEO, said: “The message to the Government today is clear: don’t let vulnerable people fall through the cracks of our economy this winter.

“That's why so many hundreds of thousands of us have come together to demand that Chancellor Rachel Reeves doesn’t scrap winter fuel payments for struggling pensioners, just as energy bills have risen again. This petition hand-in should be a wake up call for the Prime Minister and Chancellor. Use this Autumn Budget to prove whose side you're on."

Dennis Reed, Director of Silver Voices said: "We will be handing in a petition with over 105,000 signatures calling for a reversal of this cruel policy. When counted together alongside other organisations, our multiple petitions total more than 500,000 signatures.

“For the UK Government to continue to ignore the political will of the people is politically unsustainable. If scrapping the universal Winter Fuel Payment had been in the Labour Manifesto, or even raised during the campaign, there would be many fewer MPs on the Labour Benches. Very few people support the targeting of so many poor pensioners and organisations who work with, or represent, older people are appalled by this decision, and very worried about an impending disaster this winter.

“To justify a policy which impoverishes up to 3 million pensioners living on the breadline, because a few very wealthy businessmen don't need the payment, is illogical, and in her heart of hearts the Chancellor knows it. Let the Sir Jim Ratcliffe's and Lord Alan Sugar's of this world set up a fund to ensure the universal payment continues, a fund called a billionaires' tax.

“The Independent Age research shows that living in one room with your overcoat and scarf on will be a reality for millions of older people this winter, unless good sense prevails."