Sir Keir Starmer issues major update over Winter Fuel Payment u-turn after axe

Sir Keir Starmer issues major update over Winter Fuel Payment u-turn after axe

by · Birmingham Live

The Prime Minister has issued a key Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) Winter Fuel Payment update. Sir Keir Starmer, the new Labour Party government leader, has issued an update on the DWP Winter Fuel Payment as he urged people to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit.

Speaking on Friday, Sir Keir Starmer said it "makes sense to make the change" to winter fuel payments when asked why he was "picking a fight with the pensioners". Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside as part of a round of interviews on local radio, the Prime Minister said: "Without the change that we're putting in place at the moment, the allowance goes to everyone, whether they need it or not, and therefore there are many who don't need it because they're relatively wealthy.

"And I think most people would say that doesn't make sense when you've got a really, really difficult, tight budget - we've got to deliver for our NHS, for our schools, we've got to make sure that we've got public services that people can rely on, including, of course, pensioners. So it makes sense to make the change."

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He said it was "important to protect pensioners who most need the allowance" and urged people who are eligible for pension credit to take it up. Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who have a low income. It comes in 2 parts: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. It's separate from your State Pension.

Savings Credit is extra money if you've got some savings or if your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You might be eligible for Guarantee Credit if you've reached State Pension age. This is currently 66 for both men and women.

If you've reached State Pension age, you can claim Guarantee Credit if your weekly income is less than £218.15 if you’re single or £332.95 if you’re a couple.