Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the circumstances whereby senior citizens receive the Winter Fuel Allowance then are ineligible for the payment due to their level of income.

The Government announced in June 2025 that the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will benefit a wider range of pensioners in England and Wales from winter 2025. Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically to anyone who has not opted out of getting a payment, to ensure timely support for those who need it.

Individuals who are of State Pension age and have total income over £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment recovered by HMRC through the tax system. Winter Fuel Payments are devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland, however, the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive have decided to mirror the recovery approach taken for England and Wales.

The winter payment is automatically recovered by HMRC through PAYE for the vast majority of cases, or through their Self-Assessment return for the minority that pay tax that way. The amount recovered is equal to the full value of their payment. This approach applies across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

Anyone who expects their total income to exceed £35,000 can opt out of receiving future payments via GOV.UK, or through Social Security Scotland if they live in Scotland, and will not be subject to the charge. Opting out applies only to payments not yet made.