Have your say! Should the Winter fuel payment cuts be reversed?

One of the government's most controversial policies has been pushed back into the spotlight as snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures hit parts of the UK this week.

Estimates by the government predict that 50,000 pensioners will be pushed into relative poverty due to the changes to the long-running winter fuel payments, in a week that has seen Cold Weather Payments go out to some areas of Britain.

Have your say! With cold weather arriving and winter on the horizon, should the government reverse its decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance? Have you changed your mind on it since the summer? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

One of the early controversies with the Labour government that was elected this year was their policy to means-test the winter fuel payments - a payment of up to £300 that previously went to all pensioners. To cut down on government spending in this area, it was decided that the payment would now only go to those on pension credit and some other benefits.

Without taking into account any increase in the take-up of pension credit amongst those eligible, the government's own estimates say that 50,000 additional pensioners will fall into relative poverty next year, and that the pattern will continue in following years. "Relative poverty" is a term used to describe being significantly below the average income in a given area - they may have enough for the basics, but would struggle to do anything else with their money.

Speaking at a press conference in Brazil on Tuesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "As we now know, the figure for the increase in state pensions for next year under the triple lock, because we've stabilised the economy, is about £470. And therefore pensioners will be better off because we've stabilised the economy."

The new figures come in a week that has seen Cold Weather Payments being made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). People in parts of northern England, who are on certain benefits, will receive £25 per week for as long as the average temperature is below 0 degrees in their area.

The cold weather this week has seen snow fall across parts of the country, with schools closing, trains being cancelled, and the ice causing incidents on the road. It had been a mild autumn so far, but this could be a sign of things to come.

Have your say! With cold weather arriving and winter on the horizon, should the government reverse its decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Allowance? Have you changed your mind on it since the summer? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.