MORE than 70 per cent of disabled pensioners will lose their winter fuel payments, the government quietly admitted last night.
And 83 per cent of over-80s will also have their cold weather cash stopped in revelations that will likely ramp up fury over Labour‘s controversial decision.
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The shock stats emerged as the Department for Work and Pensioners slipped out its equality impact assessment late Friday night.
Tory chairman Richard Fuller blasted: “At the start of this week Labour MPs marched through the lobbies to cover up the impact of the winter fuel cuts which will slash support for many pensioners in their own constituencies.
“This shocking new data, sneaked out by the government, now shows 780,000 people who should be entitled to the payment will lose out as will 1.6 million people with a disability.
“Voters were told in the Election there would be a change.
“It’s time Labour did the right thing and owned up to the political choice they made to put their union paymasters before millions of vulnerable pensioners.”
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer denied that means-testing winter fuel payments is a punishment beating for pensioners.
On the plane to Washington DC, where he arrived this week, the PM refused to answer questions on the possibility of more pain for OAPs.
Ministers ruled out stripping pensioners of free bus passes at the October 30 “brutal Budget”.
But fears have mounted that the single person council tax discount could be the next victim of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ money saving mission.
Asked if residents should worry a levy hike is on the way, the frustrated PM replied: “I’m absolutely not punishing pensioners.
“I’m not going to say before the budget what we’re going to do.
“That does not mean that I’m ruling in anything that you might be putting to me, it simply means like every Prime Minister we’re not going to reveal what’s in the budget before we get to it.
“We did this in the election all the way through.”
The Tories recently blasted spluttering Labour ministers for being forced to “defend the indefensible” winter fuel decision on TV and radio.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle took a beating on Good Morning Britain as he was pressed on why a full impact assessment into the move was never conducted.
Mr Kyle said: “We are making these tough decisions because we are forced to.
“Therefore, we’re acting in a way which is making sure pensioners overall will benefit.
“Pensioners had an above inflation rise in their income this year and they will do so next year.”
Slamming the comments, Tory Chairman Richard Fuller said: “Labour ministers are being sent out to defend the indefensible.
“Keir Starmer must urgently come clean and tell every single Member of Parliament, including his own Labour MPs, how many of their constituents will freeze this winter because of the Labour Government’s choice to choose their union paymasters over vulnerable pensioners.”
Crucial to claim Pension Credit if you can
THOUSANDS of pensioners could get up to £200 to help with energy bills this winter after the fuel payment was cut.
The Sun reported earlier this week how millions were set to miss out on the £300 help which previously went to anyone regardless of income.
Octopus Energy introduced a new scheme to help fill the gap, offering pensioners discretionary credit of between £50 and £200.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that Winter Fuel Payments will now only be paid to those on Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits.
Despite a backlash over the move, with some claiming the poorest would still miss out, the new rules were passed in parliament.
A total of 348 MPs backed the government decision, while an opposition of 228 failed to overturn the October cut.
This decision followed Reeves’ big reveal that there is a £22bn ‘black hole’ in public finances.
Households will now only get the winter fuel payment, worth up to £300, if they are getting a number of benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
It also comes as energy bills are set to rise from October 1 by £149 a year for the average dual fuel bill, though the exact amount you pay will depend on usage.
