Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the support available to pensioners (a) this winter and (b) in winter 2023/24.

From 2024/25, Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales will be targeted to low-income pensioners. Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for households with someone aged 66-79, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 or over.

Eligible pensioners in England and Wales will also receive Cold Weather Payments for each seven day period of very cold weather, and an annual rebate on their energy bill of £150, through the Warm Home Discount.

The powers to make winter heating assistance payments were devolved to the Scottish Parliament under the Scotland Act 2016.

The Government is investing £421 million to extend the current Household Support Fund in England for six months, running from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. In addition, at the Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced that £1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year until 31 March 2026.

This Government remains absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. We are honouring our commitment to the Triple Lock with a 4.1% increase to the basic State Pension, the new State Pension, and to the standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit. As such, according to the latest OBR projections, the full yearly rate of the new State Pension is forecast to increase by around £1,900 over the course of this parliament whilst the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is forecast to increase by around £1,500.

In 2023/24, Winter Fuel Payments were universal for those of State Pension age. Pensioner households received a Winter Fuel Payment combined with a cost of living payment of £500 / £600 depending on age. Cold Weather Payments and rebates from the Warm Home Discount Scheme were also payable in 2023/24.