Social Security Advisory Committee: Winter Fuel Payment

Debate between Emma Reynolds and Ann Davies

Tuesday 12th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

I quote one of the hon. Lady’s fellow politicians:

“I have people in my constituency telling me that they don’t need the winter fuel payments that we give them because they can afford it.”

Those are the words of the Leader of the Opposition, the right hon. Member for North West Essex (Mrs Badenoch).

[Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin) (PC)]

The Social Security Advisory Committee’s letter calls for an urgent amendment to allow those in receipt of pensioner housing benefit to receive the winter fuel payment this year. I believe the UK Government should go further, extending eligibility to people on council tax support, attendance allowance, disability living allowance, personal independent payments and carer’s allowance. Will the UK Government rethink their position on eligibility and reduce pensioner hardship this winter?

[Emma Reynolds]

The hon. Lady’s question allows me to focus on the communications around this change. It is not just about pension credit, but about people on working tax credit, child tax credit and other benefits. The committee was concerned about pensioners in receipt of child tax credit; pensioners should check whether they are eligible for other qualifying benefits for winter fuel payments, because it is quite a complicated system. It is not just about whether someone is already on pension credit.