New update over DWP reversing Winter Fuel Payment cut for ALL state pensioners

New update over DWP reversing Winter Fuel Payment cut for ALL state pensioners

by · Birmingham Live

A fresh update has been issued over calls to hand the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for ALL state pensioners. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and new Labour Party government shake-up means state pensioners are at risk of missing out.

An online petition is calling on Labour to U-turn on its decision and now has 18,138 signatures, which means it is now entitled to a written response from the UK Government. The petition demands: "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 Labour party analysis published in 2017 said plans to cut the fuel allowance for ten million pensioners could increase excess deaths by almost 4,000 that winter." The government responds to all petitions that get more than 10,000 signatures.

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At 100,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. The signature will be waiting for 3 days for a government response. A separate petition from Age UK explained: "Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision.

"Millions of struggling pensioners won’t receive up to £300 they rely on to pay their bills." It adds: "The Government should halt their proposed change to the Winter Fuel Payment and think again. Join us to protect struggling pensioners this winter.

"If you or a loved one would like to sign offline you can print a template of the petition or request one by writing to FREEPOST Age UK Campaigns." It added: "We believe as many as 2.5 million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut."