According to analysis by former pensions minister Ros Altmann, scrapping the winter fuel payment is equivalent to a 3 per cent state pension cut
Former pensions minister Ros Altmann says the removal of the winter fuel payments is equivalent to a 3 per cent cut for those on the basic state pension for pensioners who do not receive pension credit is worse than ditching the triple lock, former pensions minister Ros Altmann said.Winter fuel payments are currently automatically made to pensioner households, with those aged over 80 getting £300 and younger pensioners receiving a £200 payment.
“This makes a mockery of the pledge to protect the triple lock, which offers a minimum 2.5 per cent increase. For those under 80, who get a £200 payment under the winter fuel allowance, the reduction is around 2.26 per cent, but for those over 80, who get a £300 payment, the reduction is 3.4 per cent.
“There is already a stark cliff-edge that leaves those just above the means-test-cut-off losing thousands of pounds a year. This announcement adds to the problems already inherent in the current means-testing system.” He said: “Last year, there were 810,000 pensioners paying the 40 per cent rate and 101,000 paying the 45 per cent rate so even if you only took it away from them, you would save around £180 million – assuming a typical £200 payment.
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