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Winter Fuel Payment 2025-06-09
09 June 2025
Lead MP
Torsten Bell
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Northern Ireland
Other Contributors: 78
At a Glance
Torsten Bell raised concerns about winter fuel payment 2025-06-09 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government is extending eligibility for winter fuel payments to a wider range of pensioners in England and Wales. All pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 will benefit from support, as will all those on pension credit and other income-related benefits. A payment of £200 per household or £300 where there is someone aged over 80 will be made automatically without any action needed by the recipient. The new means-testing system will save around £450 million a year compared to the universal payments.
Helen Whately
Con
Faversham and Mid Kent
The Government's decision to cut winter fuel payments was a mistake that has hurt people. The U-turn is unfunded, raising questions about where the £1.25 billion needed to pay for it will come from. There are concerns over how the new means-testing system will work in practice and whether it is fair. The savings for the Treasury may be as little as £50 million.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
The policy change saves public services £450 million by ensuring that the wealthiest pensioners do not continue to receive the winter fuel payment. The new system is fair and necessary for financial sustainability.
Torbay
Concerned about Government's stability and consistency; called for earlier implementation of policy changes. Raised concerns about single pensioner households not receiving clear guidance from the government.
Minister responsible for explaining the changes to the winter fuel payment, clarifying details on single versus couple households and thresholds. Emphasised the importance of pension credit take-up and measures to help low-income families with energy bills.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Welcomed the reinstatement but questioned the adequacy given recent rises in energy prices. Suggested that energy companies should contribute more towards supporting pensioners.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Critiqued the Chancellor's decision as a political choice and called for an apology to those negatively affected by previous decisions.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Welcomed the announcement but criticised SNP’s policy in Scotland, suggesting it should be reviewed given recent changes.
Chingford and Woodford Green
Acknowledged the U-turn but emphasised the need to address the issue of 750,000 pensioners who did not receive payments despite being eligible for pension credit.
Frank McNally
Lab
Coatbridge and Bellshill
Welcomed reinstatement but questioned how discussions would proceed with Scottish Ministers regarding their approach to winter fuel payments in Scotland.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Asked about pensioners' entitlement to the winter fuel payment despite having significant tax-wrapped savings and a high monthly income; received clarification on taxable income threshold of £35,000.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Supported the decision to reinstate payments for 75% of pensioners but called for the government to scrap planned cuts to disability support.
Torsten Bell
Con
Constituency Unspecified
Defends the government's decision to reintroduce winter fuel payments and sets out the policy on means-testing. Emphasises that pensioner poverty has fallen under recent policies, but acknowledges ongoing issues with child poverty.
Blair McDougall
Lab
East Renfrewshire
Questions whether it is fair for millionaires to receive the winter fuel payment and suggests using savings from means-testing to target support at grandchildren in poorer households.
Will Forster
Lib Dem
Woking
Welcomes the government's U-turn on the winter fuel payment but asks for a commitment to increase the threshold going forward when average earnings rise.
Salford
Asks if the government will outline plans to lift the two-child cap on universal credit soon, highlighting its importance in reducing child poverty.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Critiques the government's decision as a U-turn and questions when the public can expect the government to address other economic issues such as the pound's stability.
Derby North
Acknowledges that lifting the threshold is a positive move, but asks if this shows the government listening and targeting money where it is needed most.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Asks for an apology from the government to pensioners who were affected by last year's decision and urges the government to abolish the two-child cap on universal credit.
Pamela Nash
Lab
Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke
Welcomes today’s announcement but asks if Barnett consequentials will exceed what Scottish Government is already planning to spend on equivalent benefits in Scotland.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Calls for reversal of national insurance contribution rises and inheritance tax changes, which she believes are destroying jobs and family businesses.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Welcomes the change in position but urges the government to learn from past mistakes by listening to backbenchers on issues such as disability benefits cuts.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Questioned the Minister on whether he would apologise for the initial removal of winter fuel payments, highlighting anguish and uncertainty experienced by pensioners.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Expressed gratitude to the Government for reviewing the threshold so that majority of pensioners will receive the payment this winter. Asked about stabilizing the economy to protect vulnerable individuals.
Mid Sussex
Asked why the decision was made now and raised concerns over waiting another 11 months for reconsideration of cuts to disability benefits.
Kirsteen Sullivan
Lab/Co-op
Bathgate and Linlithgow
Welcomed the statement but asked the Minister to commit to working with local government and devolved Administrations to increase pension credit recipients among low-income pensioners.
Julia Lopez
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Challenged the economic rationale behind the initial decision, questioning if the U-turn is justified given current economic indicators.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Asked about ensuring public service protection and fair distribution of winter fuel payments to those who need them most.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Inquired whether there will be an appeals mechanism for pensioners entitled but not receiving the payment due to administrative errors.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
Welcomed the Government's decision, asked about measures to increase energy efficiency in homes to lower bills.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Called for an apology from the Minister regarding pensioners who had a cold and miserable winter due to unnecessary policy delays.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Expressed gratitude for measures such as free breakfast clubs, which tackle poverty across all age groups.
Claire Young
LD
Thornbury and Yate
Asked about the lack of impact assessments before winter fuel payments were stripped from millions of pensioners.
Chris Webb
Lab
Blackpool South
Welcomed the Minister's announcement about changing the winter fuel payment threshold. Asked for assurance that pensioners will automatically receive the new allowance without having to take any action.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Asked if couples with different incomes would both receive winter fuel payments, emphasising concerns about elderly people needing NHS due to cold weather.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Clarified that opposition parties were not urging for the current decision and accused them of proposing to give winter fuel payments to millionaires at the expense of public services.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Asked for assurance that the changes will apply every winter in this Parliament, questioning the consistency of policy under the current government.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Welcomed the expansion of eligibility but expressed concern about planned cuts to disability benefits and requested that they be reconsidered before causing harm.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Welcomed changes but urged for investment in housing stock insulation to address fuel poverty comprehensively, questioning the adequacy of current measures.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Welcomed the decision and stated that over three-quarters of pensioners will receive winter fuel payments due to changes. Criticised the Conservative party for indecision on key policies.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Asked why Labour MPs did not listen before cutting winter fuel payments, arguing that economic circumstances were worse now and questioned the timing of reversing the decision.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
Welcomed changes to eligibility criteria for the warm home discount scheme, thanked the Minister for listening, and asked about the impact on lifting children out of fuel poverty.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Greatly welcomed the U-turn but questioned why an apology was not issued to pensioners who were affected by previous decisions.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Asked for assurance that pensioners in her constituency would automatically receive winter fuel allowance without having to take any action.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Questioned the Minister on whether he regretted an increase in elderly people going to A&E due to cold weather in the last winter under the Conservative government.
Louise Jones
Lab
North East Derbyshire
Jones welcomed the announcement but expressed concerns about the eligibility threshold being too low, asking for reassurance that eligible pensioners will receive automatic payments.
Mike Martin
LD
Tunbridge Wells
Martin questioned if there would be further U-turns on PIP and two-child benefit cap policies. He criticised the Government's decisions as causing distress to Labour MPs.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Hume welcomed the announcement for her constituents in Scarborough and Whitby, asking for reassurance on automatic payments and payment dates.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Lamont raised concerns about Scottish pensioners receiving adequate winter fuel payments, noting the high percentage of Scottish pensioners who were cold last winter.
Gill German
Lab
Clwyd North
German thanked Torsten Bell for his statement and requested cross-Government work to ensure pensioner poverty becomes a thing of the past.
Solihull West and Shirley
Shastri-Hurst questioned the universal support for the Government's policy, highlighting previous Conservative positions against the winter fuel payment before today's U-turn.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth West
Toale welcomed the statement and thanked Torsten Bell for listening to her constituents' concerns about the threshold. She emphasised the difference between this Government and the previous one in addressing pensioner poverty.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Moore questioned whether the Government could provide figures for how many lives may have been lost as a result of their decision to remove winter fuel allowance last year.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Waugh thanked Torsten Bell for today's announcement and emphasised the Government's listening to Opposition MPs, especially Labour Members who pushed for this change.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Foord welcomed the partial reinstatement of winter fuel payment but asked if the new means test will remove the eligibility cliff edge that existed last year.
Richard Baker
Lab
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Baker congratulated the Government on listening to older people's charities, asking SNP Ministers to rethink their plans in light of today’s announcement.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Jopp thanked and congratulated Labour Back Benchers who opposed last year’s decision and welcomed the Minister’s recognition of these MPs' contributions.
Poole
Duncan-Jordan welcomed today's statement, recognising campaigners’ efforts that led to policy change. He suggested that means-testing has once again failed and called for a return to universalism.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
Welcomes the change in principle but argues that millionaires and MPs should not receive this payment.
Peter Bedford
Con
Mid Leicestershire
Asks if pensioners who missed out on their winter fuel allowance should be reimbursed for past losses.
West Dunbartonshire
Supports the increase but criticises the SNP's proposed £100 payment in Scotland compared to the doubled amount elsewhere.
Esher and Walton
Raises concern about pensioners, particularly those with health issues like cancer, who lost their winter fuel allowance.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Welcomes the increase but questions why the £35,000 threshold was chosen and suggests visiting his constituency to see benefits work.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Claims this U-turn is a humiliation for the Chancellor who previously cut winter fuel payments from vulnerable pensioners.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Welcomes the Government’s decision to raise the threshold and highlights the work done by the citizens advice bureau in Hartlepool.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Challenges Scottish Labour MPs on their stance against the cuts and questions if they will follow the SNP's lead on benefits.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
Supports means testing but argues that protecting the most vulnerable is a progressive decision.
Liz Jarvis
LD
Eastleigh
Welcomes today’s U-turn but expresses concern for pensioners like Chrissy who fear losing personal independence payments.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Thanks the Minister and questions if current economic context allows more pensioners to receive winter fuel allowance.
Vikki Slade
LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Asks what is being done about the price of power for those in rural areas who rely on oil or liquefied gas.
Chris McDonald
Lab
Stockton North
Thanks the Minister and predecessor for engagement but criticises previous Conservative government's break of triple lock promise.
Torsten Bell
Con
UK Government
Welcomed the decision to give winter fuel payment back to pensioners and raised the threshold to £35,000. Stated that many will now qualify for the payment, expressing gratitude towards the government.
Torsten Bell
Con
UK Government
Acknowledged the increase in state pension at the beginning of April and emphasised the principle of parity, suggesting similar changes should be made in Northern Ireland to ensure constituents receive support.
Fred Thomas
Lab
Plymouth Moor View
Represented over 20,000 pensioners in Plymouth. Welcomed the policy announced by the Minister that does not provide payment to everyone but focuses on those who need it most.
Torsten Bell
Con
UK Government
Responded positively to Fred Thomas's comments, highlighting the economic measures taken and the importance of support for pensioners based on income level.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Agreed with the Minister that strong economic foundations enable extra support for pensioners. Emphasised the need to focus political attention and resources on younger generations as the economy grows.
Torsten Bell
Con
UK Government
Acknowledged John Slinger's point, stating that rising living standards should be a priority for poorer middle-income households. Emphasised the importance of economic growth and wage increases.
Amber Valley
Said constituents welcome today’s announcement but are wary due to past failures by Conservatives. Asked Minister to reassure them about support for pensioners through the triple lock, pension credit and NHS investment.
Torsten Bell
Con
UK Government
Acknowledged Linsey Farnsworth's concerns and assured her constituents that wages are growing, pensions are rising, waiting lists are falling and Britain is back on track.
Government Response
The statement outlines how the Government will extend eligibility for winter fuel payments to a wider range of pensioners in England and Wales. Pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 will benefit from support, as will all those on pension credit and other income-related benefits. The payment of £200 per household or £300 where there is someone aged over 80 will be made automatically without any action needed by the recipient. Clarified details about single and couple households, emphasised the importance of pension credit take-up, and announced measures supporting low-income families with energy bills. Defends the means-testing of winter fuel payments, stating that millionaires should not receive it. Confirms that the threshold is well above income levels of pensioners in poverty and will ensure over three-quarters of pensioners receive support. Acknowledges progress on reducing child poverty but calls for more action. Defended the Government's decision to review the threshold, emphasising the need for tough choices. Announced an increased means test threshold and commitment to improve energy efficiency programmes. Defended changes to eligibility criteria for winter fuel payments, emphasising automatic payment systems for pensioners. Rejected criticisms from opposition parties and defended the Government's approach to public finances. The Minister reassured Members on various aspects of the winter fuel payment reinstatement, including eligibility thresholds, automatic payments, and cross-Government work. He emphasised that while difficult decisions were made last year, today's policy ensures fairer outcomes for lower and middle-income pensioners. Clarifies that support and funding will be provided to Northern Ireland pensioners. Defends the new means-testing threshold, highlighting it ensures most pensioners receive winter fuel payments while excluding higher-income individuals. Welcomed the decision to give winter fuel payment back to pensioners, raised threshold to £35,000. Emphasised parity in Northern Ireland and addressed economic measures taken by the government.
Shadow Response
Helen Whately
Shadow Response
The U-turn on cutting winter fuel payments was a mistake that has hurt people. The new system raises concerns about its fairness, practical implementation, and the funding required to reverse the cut.
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