Rachel Reeves has confirmed extra pensioners shall be eligible for winter gasoline funds this 12 months – however confusion stays over how the edge could possibly be modified.
Sir Keir Starmer failed to supply readability on what the brand new means-test could possibly be throughout Wednesday’s PMQs, which got here moments after the chancellor’s shock announcement at a Q&A in Manchester.
Politics Dwell: Starmer below hearth for ‘disgraceful’ PMQs efficiency
She added: “People should be in no doubt, the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter.”
Nonetheless the prime minister was unable to say what number of pensioners would have the profit restored when grilled on the matter by Kemi Badenoch within the Home of Commons.
The Tory chief claimed the chancellor “is rushing her plans because she just realised when winter is”.
She requested: “On behalf of the pensioners who want to know, can the prime minister be clear with us here and now: how many of the 10 million people who lost their winter fuel payments will get it back?”
Sir Keir did not reply the query, solely saying the federal government will “look again at the eligibility for winter fuel and of course we’ll set out how we pay for it”.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
0:33
Extra folks to obtain winter gasoline funds
Axing common winter gasoline funds was one of many first issues Labour did in authorities.
The cost was geared toward serving to pensioners pay for greater gasoline payments throughout the colder months, however now solely these in receipt of pension credit score or different advantages get it.
Means-testing it meant the variety of pensioners eligible was slashed from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.
Labour mentioned it was mandatory due to a £22bn blackhole left behind by the Conservatives, which they claimed was bigger than they had been anticipating once they entered authorities.
The change was anticipated to save lots of round £1.3bn in 2024/25 and £1.5bn in subsequent years.
Learn Extra:Starmer’s winter gasoline reduce U-turn declare ‘not credible’Botched partial winter gasoline U-turn may have profound penalties for Starmer
Ministers now say selections taken to stabilise the economic system imply the eligibility will be prolonged.
Nonetheless, the U-turn is basically seen as a response to the celebration’s drubbing on the native elections, which Labour MPs blamed on the unpopularity of the coverage on the door step.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
1:22
Gordon Brown questioned on winter gasoline allowance U-turn by Sky’s Sophy Ridge
It wasn’t clear till immediately whether or not the adjustments would come into impact earlier than this winter, because the funding is anticipated to be laid out formally within the autumn assertion in November.
Pensions minister Torsten Bell immediately confirmed to the Work and Pensions Committee that there is no such thing as a prospect of returning to a common winter gasoline cost, saying “most people agree it’s not a good idea to have a system of paying a few hundred pounds to millionaires”.
Final month, former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown mentioned governments needs to be honest to pensioners however one resolution could possibly be excluding solely these on the highest charge of revenue tax from winter gasoline funds.
Common winter gasoline funds had been launched by Mr Brown when he was chancellor in 1997, within the first 12 months of the New Labour authorities.
