What is the winter fuel payment? Labour conference votes against cuts

Whereas the vote will not be binding, it places extra strain on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He has confronted large opposition over Labour’s contentious coverage to take away the profit from tens of millions of pensioners by making the usually assured cost means-tested.

Sharon Graham, the overall secretary of Unite, moved the proposal.

She stated: “The nation desires meals, work and houses… It desires a excessive and rising way of life, safety for all, in opposition to a wet day.

“Mates, that is a quote from the 1945 Labour manifesto, written within the shadow of dying, destruction and debt, brought on by years of battle. A manifesto of hope.”

Ms Graham stated debt then was “practically thrice increased than it’s now” however there was “no point out of cuts, no point out of austerity and positively no point out of creating on a regular basis individuals pay”.

She added: “I don’t perceive how our new Labour authorities can minimize the winter gas allowance for pensioners and go away the super-rich untouched.

“This isn’t what individuals voted for. It’s the fallacious determination and must be reversed.”

The movement was handed by a present of arms.

The proposed cuts would probably have an effect on about 10 million pensioners within the UK.

Senior Labour politicians have maintained which means testing the profit is important to assist fill a funding black gap left behind by the Tories. Stories counsel this may save the nation round £1.3 billion.

Nonetheless, the nation’s most susceptible pensioners will nonetheless obtain the credit score, price as much as £300.

Right here’s what you want to know in regards to the winter gas cost.

What’s the winter gas cost?

It’s a tax-free annual cost the Authorities offers to assist older individuals with their heating prices in the course of the winter. At current, the funds are a common profit for all pensioners — however not for for much longer.

Who’s eligible for the winter gas cost?

The quantity pensioners obtain is determined by their age and dwelling scenario. For instance:

From 2024, solely pensioners receiving different advantages corresponding to common credit score or pension credit score will qualify for the winter gas cost.

Many have argued that pensioners solely obtain pension credit score if their annual revenue is under £11,336.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said restricting the winter fuel payment to these on pension credit score was “reckless and fallacious” and “spells catastrophe for pensioners on low and modest incomes”.

Age UK stated it could struggle the choice and has launched a petition.

Scotland not offers the common winter gas cost for all pensioners. As an alternative, the Scottish authorities has launched the winter heating cost, an annual allowance of £58.75 for these receiving sure advantages.

When will eligible individuals obtain their winter gas cost?

These eligible will get a letter telling them:

how a lot they’ll get
the checking account it will likely be paid into – normally the identical one as for pension credit score or different advantages.

Learn how to apply if you happen to suppose you’re eligible for the winter gas cost

For those who suppose you’re eligible for the winter gas cost however haven’t obtained it robotically, you may apply by following these steps.

Examine eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility standards talked about above.
Collect info: Have your nationwide insurance coverage quantity, financial institution or constructing society particulars, and the date you have been married or entered right into a civil partnership (if relevant) prepared.
Apply by telephone or put up: By telephone: Name the Winter Gasoline Fee Centre. The telephone quantity might be discovered on the UK Government website. By put up: Obtain the declare kind from the UK authorities web site, fill it out, and ship it to the deal with offered on the shape.
Submit your declare: Make certain to submit your declare by the deadline, normally across the finish of March for that winter season.

When was the winter gas allowance launched?

The Labour authorities of Tony Blair launched the cost in 1997 to deal with gas poverty amongst older individuals. The purpose was to offer monetary assist to assist pensioners with the prices of heating their houses in the course of the chilly winter months.

The cost was £20 (or £50 for these in receipt of means-tested advantages).

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What is the winter fuel payment? Labour conference votes against cuts

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What is the winter fuel payment? Labour conference votes against cuts

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