A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to “immediately” reverse its decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments and restore the annual heating help to all State Pensioners. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on July 29 that the Winter Fuel Payment would no longer be universally issued to 12.7 million pensioners, a move that will see over 10m people over 66 miss out on payments of up to £300.
More than 1,400 people have already signed the ‘Reverse changes to Winter Fuel Payment’ petition which has been posted on the petitions-parliament website. The UK Government’s official petitions platform recently reopened after closing at the end of May due to the general election.
Petition creator Michael Brian Anderson argues that the eligibility rule change to Winter Fuel Payments could put the NHS under “more pressure” and grimly warns that “pensioners could die if MPs do not act”.
The petition states: “We want the Government to restore the Winter Fuel Payment to how it was paid last winter immediately. We are concerned that pensioners could die if MPs do not act, and that the NHS could be under more pressure.
“It has been reported that a Labour party analysis published in 2017 said plans to cut the fuel allowance for 10 million pensioners could increase excess deaths by almost 4,000 that winter.”
At 10,000 signatures the UK Government will respond to the petition and at 100,000, it would be considered by the Pensions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it online here.
To keep up to date with developments on this petition, join the Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here.
Winter Fuel Payments will only be issued to people over State Pension age in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, Tax Credits (with an annual award of at least £26) or Universal Credit (as part of a mixed age couple). An estimated 850,000 Scots are set to miss out on the extra support this winter.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending letters to all pensioner households in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the end of this month. This will confirm eligibility, how much they are due (if any) and a nudge to check entitlement to Pension Credit.
Some 1.5m people, mostly those on Pension Credit, will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year, including over 125,000 Scots.
Legal action
Last week, the Court of Session gave a couple from Coatbridge the green light for their case against the Scottish Government and the UK Work and Pensions Secretary to go ahead, with a procedural hearing set for next month ahead of a full “substantive” hearing in January.
The case’s argument rests on the accusation that both governments failed to adequately consult with those of State Pension age on the change and did not release an equality impact assessment on the changes.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed an abridged version of such an assessment had been carried out by the DWP, with the UK Government arguing a full study was not required.
Govan Law Centre said the permission to proceed, which was granted by Lady Hood in Edinburgh on October 24, means the case has been assessed as having “a real prospect of success” in terms of the applicable legislation.
A spokesperson for Govan Law Centre said: “Our clients are delighted that the court has granted permission for their judicial review challenge to proceed to a full hearing in early January.
“We await a decision on civil legal aid from the Scottish Legal Aid Board early next week in relation to the proceedings.
“If civil legal aid is granted we will then submit an urgent application for sanction for the employment of both junior and senior counsel and will announce our final legal team in early course.”
The trade union Unite has also threatened legal action over the UK Government’s decision to scrap the universal payments.
Unite has given theLabour Government until Thursday, November 7 to respond to a pre-action letter sent last week and reverse the cut, otherwise it would request permission from the High Court for a full judicial review.
The push for a judicial review of the policy will further strain relations between Labour and Unite, which had previously been a significant donor to the party. The union has already expressed opposition to the Winter Fuel Payment cut, staging a protest outside this year’s Labour Party conference over the issue.
How to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
More details about claiming Pension Credit can be fond on GOV.UK here.