Cut to winter fuel allowance ‘totally unexpected’, MLAs told

Get 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. However, Mr Lyons warned the cut will have “serious consequences” for the wellbeing of older people across Northern Ireland. “Therefore, it came as a surprise to us all, that the Government would announce the removal of this important benefit and I can confirm that my department was given no prior notice of the planned change.” The Communities Minister said the principle of parity means that social security benefits in Northern Ireland are paid at the same rates and with the same conditions of entitlement across the UK. It is wrong because it will have serious consequences for the comfort, wellbeing, and health of older people across Northern Ireland Gordon Lyons He added: “The estimated additional cost to the block grant of maintaining universal entitlement to a winter fuel payment in Northern Ireland for winter 2024/25 is £44.3 million and this does not even include any additional delivery or staffing costs. “Therefore, for the Executive to even consider breaking parity on this decision by the Labour Government would require significant cuts to Northern Ireland’s already struggling public services.” He added: “To those who glibly say the Executive could have made a different decision, I would ask them what they would cut or what services would they postpone?