Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a U-turn on Labour's earlier restriction of the Winter Fuel Payment, allowing more pensioners to qualify after discontent with initial limits that excluded millions. Despite the promise of increased accessibility, Reeves did not provide clear eligibility criteria, leading to heightened scrutiny from charities and opposition parties. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the need to revisit the payment's rules. Critics have called the initial restriction a debacle causing unnecessary hardship for many pensioners, emphasizing the urgency for precise communication as winter approaches.
The means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter, though eligibility details remain unspecified, leading to pressure for clarity.
Critics described the handling of the Winter Fuel Payment issue as a debacle that caused needless misery for millions of pensioners affected by limited eligibility.
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