
Move to end universal winter fuel payments for pensioners to be extended to NI
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A move to end the winter fuel allowance for all pensioners is to be extended to Northern Ireland, Stormont’s Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed. Mr Lyons said he “strongly disagreed” with the move by the Labour Government but said there was “no additional resource” which would allow the region to diverge from the UK decision. Meanwhile, the Stormont Executive has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer raising concern that the change will have a “negative impact on a significant number of people of pension age in Northern Ireland”. The letter, seen by the PA news agency, states that ministers “convey our collective concern at your Government’s intended changes to the Winter Fuel Payments Scheme.” It goes on to say that the decision “will have a direct and negative impact on a significant number of people of pension age in Northern Ireland who are already struggling with the consequences of the rise in the cost of living”.
History of this topic

Record number of retirees apply to claim pension credit in bid to claw back their winter fuel payments, official figures show
Daily Mail
Thousands waiting for winter fuel payment despite DWP processing record claims
The Independent
Pensioners ‘missing meals’ after Labour’s winter fuel payment changes
The Independent
Pensioners challenging winter fuel payment cut ‘not eligible for it’, court told
The Independent
Winter fuel payments: The cold weather support available for pensioners after new rules introduced
The Independent
Winter fuel payment: DWP savings from changes falling fast, analysis claims
The Independent
Voters will thank Labour for scrapping winter fuel payments, Wes Streeting claims
The Independent
Voters may eventually thank Labour for axing pensioners' winter fuel cash, insists minister as he admits cost-cutting policy is 'unpopular'
Daily Mail
Wes Streeting says pensioners should ‘layer up’ and put the heating on as millions struggle without winter fuel payment
The Independent
Winter fuel payment: Pensioners waiting over 100 days as Labour changes DWP rules
The Independent
Pensioners warned over winter fuel payment as key deadline hours away
The Independent
Winter fuel payment deadline warning – what pensioners need to know
The Independent
DAN HODGES: 'Pensioners will die freezing and alone', a minister confided to me about the winter fuel axe. And more Labour MPs tell me they fear worse is to come
Daily Mail
UK govt winter fuel decision challenged
China Daily
UK govt winter fuel decision challenged
China Daily
Labour minister Liz Kendall is urged to refund taxpayer money used to heat her second home - after axing £300 winter fuel payment to pensioners
Daily Mail
Winter fuel payment claims skyrocket after Labour changes – with half rejected
The Independent
Winter fuel payments begin to arrive in bank accounts – what pensioners need to know
The Independent
Unite union launches legal action against government over winter fuel payment cuts
The Independent
It makes sense to make winter fuel payment change, says Sir Keir Starmer
The Independent
Winter fuel payments cut will drive 100,000 more pensioners into poverty, minister admits
The Independent
Winter fuel allowance axe will leave an extra 100,000 pensioners in poverty, ministers admit
Daily Mail
Ministers looking at ‘very long’ form for winter fuel payments
The Independent
Labour facing legal challenge over winter fuel payments cut
The Independent
Legal Bid to Stop 'Cruel' UK Government Plan to Axe Winter Fuel Benefit
Al Jazeera
Ministers fear 120,000 of most vulnerable pensioners will miss out on winter fuel payments
The Independent
Experts not convinced Government will save cash by limiting winter fuel payments
The Independent
Warning some pensioners may have to pay back winter fuel payments - here’s what you can do about it
The Independent
Shock analysis shows four in every five pensioners struggling with money will see winter fuel payment cut
The Independent
'How many premature deaths will this cause?' Ministers under fire over winter fuel payment cuts for pensioners as protesters gather outside Parliament
Daily Mail
Winter fuel payment: Couple suing UK government over loss of benefit scared to turn on their cooker
The Independent
‘I can’t afford curtains to block out the draught’: The pensioners worst hit by the winter fuel payment cut
The Independent
Charities concerned over limiting winter fuel payments as energy prices rise
The Independent
Rachel Reeves warned winter fuel payment cuts won’t save as much money as expected
The Independent
Charities concerned over limiting winter fuel payments as energy prices rise
The Independent
Almost a third of population in pensioner-heavy areas at risk of losing winter fuel payment cash: Map shows where biggest concentrations of claimants live amid anger at Labour cuts
Daily Mail
Nearly three million over-80s to be hit by Chancellor’s winter fuel raid
The Telegraph
Unions win vote to reverse winter fuel cut in blow for Keir Starmer
The Independent
Labour conference backs call to reverse winter fuel payment cut
The Independent
Winter fuel payments: Labour changes explainer and other pension support available
The Independent
Welsh Labour minister defends cuts to winter fuel payments for pensioners
The Independent
DWP urged to boost ‘stagnant’ Christmas bonus for benefit claimants to over £100 this winter
The Independent
How nearly 15,000 pensioners in every Labour constituency will lose their winter fuel payment if Keir Starmer presses ahead with controversial plan to strip benefit from 10 million OAPs
Daily Mail
Labour accused of ‘cruelty’ over winter fuel payment cuts as 780,000 pensioners to miss out
The Independent
How Winter Fuel Payments are changing - and the energy bill help alternatives available for pensioners
Daily Mail
How much is the winter fuel payment? How old do you need to be to claim.. and who is still eligible to receive it after Keir Starmer's cut? All your questions answered
Daily Mail
Cut to winter fuel allowance ‘totally unexpected’, MLAs told
The Independent
Plenty of wealthy pensioners who do not need winter fuel payment, says minister
The Independent
Winter fuel payment cut could kill 4,000 people, Labour research suggests
The Independent
Labour refuses to publish impact assessment of winter fuel payment cuts
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