Labour could replace £300 Winter Fuel Payment cut with 'targeted' support

The DWP decision to cut the £300 allowances for all but the poorest pensioners has sparked controversy.

The Labour Party government could replace the £300 Winter Fuel Cut with "targeted" bill support, if it bows to pressure from leading charities. The decision to cut the £300 allowances for all but the poorest pensioners has sparked controversy.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, warned the move from the Labour Party government was "reckless and wrong", stating it "spells disaster for pensioners on low and modest incomes". Citizens Advice has suggested "targeted bill support" from the government and Department for Work and Pensions, or DWP, in response to the cut.

Andy Manning, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said: "This price rise means bills are now around two-thirds higher than before the energy crisis. With record levels of energy debt, the removal of previous support and changes to the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment, people are in desperate need.

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"The Government must urgently introduce targeted bill support that reflects the realities of people's energy needs." Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, has also spoken out to criticise the move from the new Labour Party government.

Mr Francis said: "We're now heading into the fourth winter of sky-high energy prices. After October 1, bills will be 65% higher than in 2020/21, meaning the average household will have paid more than £2,500 extra for their energy than had we not been so exposed to volatile energy markets.

"For older people who previously received the Winter Fuel Payment, but will no longer do so under the Chancellor's new rules, the situation is even worse. For many pensioners, this winter will feel like the most expensive on record. What's worse, there are more price increases on the horizon.

"We welcome the Government's long-term plans to boost home energy efficiency to bring down bills and to improve energy security to stabilise prices, but these reforms will take time to take effect and will be cold comfort to those struggling this winter.

"That's why it is so vital the ministers bring in more support for vulnerable households this winter, reductions in standing charges and a social tariff. The energy industry has made more than £457 billion in profit since the start of the crisis - so there is plenty of money in the system to be able to ensure everyone stays warm this winter and next."