The UK government is exploring a new system to reinstate universal winter fuel payments, but concerns are rising that bereaved families of deceased pensioners could be pursued by tax officials to recoup the money. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the U-turn on scrapping the benefit, aiming to increase the income threshold for eligibility. However, a potential six-month time lag between payment and recoupment could lead to thousands of deaths, leaving families with the bill. This policy, along with an expansion of free school meals, is part of Labour's efforts to address child poverty and win public support ahead of a spending review.
Bereaved families of dead pensioners could be pursued over winter fuel payments
Fuel povertyEnergy billsHousehold billsPovertyRachel Reeves
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The UK government is exploring a new system to reinstate universal winter fuel payments, but concerns are rising that bereaved families of deceased pensioners could be pursued by tax officials to recoup the money. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the U-turn on scrapping the benefit, aiming to increase the income threshold for eligibility. However, a potential six-month time lag between payment and recoupment could lead to thousands of deaths, leaving families with the bill. This policy, along with an expansion of free school meals, is part of Labour's efforts to address child poverty and win public support ahead of a spending review.
Trending- 1 Weeks prior: Uncertainty over government's decision to scrap winter fuel benefit.
- 2 Wednesday (June 4, 2025): Rachel Reeves confirms more pensioners will get winter fuel payments reinstated. Jonathan Athow confirms recoupment via tax system not possible until April next year.
- 3 Thursday (implied June 5, 2025): Ministers announce expansion of free school meals.
- 4 Next week: Spending review.
- 5 September 2026: Free school meal provision extended.
- 6 This coming winter: Pensioners to be paid winter fuel payments.
- 7 April next year: Recoupment of winter fuel payments via tax system possible.
- Potential for bereaved families to be pursued for payments
- 'Dire optics' for the government
- Increased eligibility for winter fuel payments
- Expansion of free school meals to hundreds of thousands more children
- £15bn investment in capital projects outside London
- Ongoing tensions within cabinet over spending
What: Bereaved families of dead pensioners might be pursued to recoup winter fuel payments under a new system.
When: Confirmed Wednesday (June 4, 2025). Changes to be in place for this coming winter. Recoupment would not be possible until April next year. Free school meal expansion from September 2026. Spending review next week.
Where: United Kingdom (England, Rochdale).
Why: The government is reinstating winter fuel payments universally but plans to recoup money from high-income pensioners via tax returns, as creating a new means test is complex. The time lag between payment and recoupment raises concerns about deaths in that period.
How: The Treasury is exploring a system where winter fuel payments are made universally, and then recouped from high-income pensioners through their tax returns.