Winter fuel payment cut could kill 4,000 people, Labour research suggests
3 months, 1 week ago

Winter fuel payment cut could kill 4,000 people, Labour research suggests

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of pensioners could die if the government proceeds with its plan to cut winter fuel payments for those not on benefits, Labour’s own research suggested. For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer The report has resurfaced just weeks after Rachel Reeves announced that older people not in receipt of pension credits or other means-tested benefits will no longer receive winter fuel payments from this year onwards. “Half of the almost 10,000 decrease in so-called ‘excess winter deaths’ – the rise in mortality that occurs each winter – between 2000 and 2012 was due to the introduction of the winter fuel allowance.” Rachel Reeves announced that older people not in receipt of pension credits or other means tested benefits will no longer receive winter fuel payments from this year onwards Responding to the report, Labour MP Rachael Maskell told the Daily Mail: “My concern is that an NHS under extreme pressure will experience even more pressure if people who are fuel-poor are ending up there because they can’t heat their homes. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said she was “not surprised” at the reaction to the government’s decision to means test winter fuel payments.

History of this topic

Widows 'worst hit' as 50,000 denied winter fuel lifeline - as Labour is slammed as 'Scrooge' by furious campaigners
2 days, 23 hours ago
Wes Streeting claims pensioners will be 'better off' this winter - despite fears 4,000 could die after Labour cut fuel allowance
4 days, 23 hours ago
Winter fuel payment deadline warning – what pensioners need to know
5 days, 6 hours ago
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
2 weeks, 2 days ago
UK govt winter fuel decision challenged
2 weeks, 4 days ago
UK govt winter fuel decision challenged
2 weeks, 4 days ago
Labour minister Liz Kendall is urged to refund taxpayer money used to heat her second home - after axing £300 winter fuel payment to pensioners
Trending News
3 weeks, 1 day ago
Winter fuel payment claims skyrocket after Labour changes – with half rejected
3 weeks, 1 day ago
Winter fuel payments begin to arrive in bank accounts – what pensioners need to know
3 weeks, 1 day ago
Winter fuel payments cut will drive 100,000 more pensioners into poverty, minister admits
1 month ago
Thousands forced into poverty by winter fuel squeeze, Government estimates
1 month ago
Winter fuel allowance axe will leave an extra 100,000 pensioners in poverty, ministers admit
1 month ago
Rachel Reeves to face winter fuel cuts fury as protesters target her Leeds constituency
1 month, 1 week ago
Ministers looking at ‘very long’ form for winter fuel payments
1 month, 1 week ago
Labour facing legal challenge over winter fuel payments cut
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Legal Bid to Stop 'Cruel' UK Government Plan to Axe Winter Fuel Benefit
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Ministers fear 120,000 of most vulnerable pensioners will miss out on winter fuel payments
1 month, 3 weeks ago
Warning some pensioners may have to pay back winter fuel payments - here’s what you can do about it
2 months, 1 week ago
Shock analysis shows four in every five pensioners struggling with money will see winter fuel payment cut
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Labour calls on ministers to reverse decision to axe fuel insecurity fund
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Winter fuel payment: Couple suing UK government over loss of benefit scared to turn on their cooker
2 months, 2 weeks ago
‘I can’t afford curtains to block out the draught’: The pensioners worst hit by the winter fuel payment cut
2 months, 2 weeks ago
Charities concerned over limiting winter fuel payments as energy prices rise
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Rachel Reeves warned winter fuel payment cuts won’t save as much money as expected
2 months, 3 weeks ago
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
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Nearly three million over-80s to be hit by Chancellor’s winter fuel raid
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Winter fuel payments: Labour changes explainer and other pension support available
2 months, 4 weeks ago
Pensioners stage protest against winter fuel cuts at Labour conference
3 months ago
Unite billboard campaign urges Government to reverse winter fuel allowance cuts
3 months ago
Wes Streeting hints budget cuts will go further than axing winter fuel payment– UK politics live
3 months ago
DWP urged to boost ‘stagnant’ Christmas bonus for benefit claimants to over £100 this winter
3 months, 1 week ago
Starmer under fresh attack for ‘unbelievably foolish’ winter fuel payment cuts
3 months, 1 week ago
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
3 months, 1 week ago
Labour accused of ‘cruelty’ over winter fuel payment cuts as 780,000 pensioners to miss out
3 months, 1 week ago
Fury as Labour MP says OAPs have a 'choice' over whether to put the heating on
3 months, 1 week ago
Starmer sympathises with pensioners over winter fuel but dismisses Labour’s own claim 4,000 will die
3 months, 1 week ago
No winter fuel payments cut impact assessment was done, Starmer admits
3 months, 1 week ago
How Winter Fuel Payments are changing - and the energy bill help alternatives available for pensioners
3 months, 1 week ago
Reeves defends claiming energy expenses and insists winter fuel cuts right move
3 months, 1 week ago
Government says it will not ‘water down’ winter fuel payment squeeze
3 months, 1 week ago
Winter fuel payment axe is PASSED by the Commons despite Keir Starmer suffering Labour revolt - with MPs warning pensioners face riding on buses all day to stay warm
3 months, 1 week ago
Labour refuses to publish impact assessment of winter fuel payment cuts
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Keir Starmer says he will ‘have to be unpopular’ amid winter fuel payment backlash
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Winter fuel payment cut will put pensioners in hospital, Labour MPs fear
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Labour must learn from this early misstep on winter fuel payments
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Martin Lewis reveals how pensioners could get a £11,300 handout by following one simple step
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Starmer insists ‘tough decision’ on limiting winter fuel allowance is necessary
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Thousands rush to claim pension credit amid winter fuel payment squeeze
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Pensioner, 70, says he is 'scared for the winter' when he won't be able to pay for heating - as Labour prepares to scrap winter fuel allowance from millions of retirees
3 months, 2 weeks ago

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