Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that winter fuel payments will be reinstated for this winter, with the eligibility threshold of £11,500 set to rise. While more pensioners will qualify, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell categorically ruled out a return to universal payments for all pensioners. The government's reversal follows public backlash and concerns about electoral damage from the previous policy.
Winter fuel payments to be reinstated this year, Rachel Reeves confirms
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that winter fuel payments will be reinstated for this winter, with the eligibility threshold of £11,500 set to rise. While more pensioners will qualify, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell categorically ruled out a return to universal payments for all pensioners. The government's reversal follows public backlash and concerns about electoral damage from the previous policy.
Trending- 1 Last month: Keir Starmer confirmed he wanted more pensioners eligible.
- 2 This week: Rachel Reeves confirmed the reinstatement.
- 3 Next week: Chancellor could announce new threshold at spending review.
- 4 This coming winter: Payments will be in place.
- More pensioners will receive winter fuel payments
- Addresses public discontent and potentially mitigates electoral damage for the Labour government
What: Rachel Reeves confirms the reinstatement of winter fuel payments with an increased eligibility threshold.
When: Confirmed this year (2025), for this coming winter; details on threshold 'as soon as we possibly can,' possibly next week's spending review.
Where: UK (Rochdale mentioned as speech location).
Why: The government is reversing the policy due to public backlash and anxiety at the top of government that the previous policy could cause serious electoral damage.
How: The £11,500 threshold for eligibility will rise. Ministers are considering recouping money from high-income pensioners via tax returns, similar to George Osborne's child benefit approach, rather than creating a new complex means test.