Labour axed universal winter payments for pensioners (Image: Getty)
The lives of older people are in danger because the Government axed universal winter fuel payments and this “huge mistake” must not be repeated next winter, campaigners have warned.
Independent Age is calling on the Government to “urgently review” the threshold at which the payments can be made so older people do not die from the cold.
Director of policy Morgan Vine said the charity was “extremely worried” about the welfare of older people who “cannot afford to turn their heating on” during the present cold weather.
He said: “The cold snap lays bare the huge mistake made by the UK Government when it tied the to pension credit. Far too many older people on low incomes will fall through the cracks and could now be living in freezing cold homes, which can be damaging to your health, and in some cases, life threatening.
“We are urging the UK Government to recognise the desperate situation older people in financial hardship are facing and urgently review the threshold which qualifies people for the , history cannot be allowed to repeat itself next winter.”
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Age UK has also pushed for change.
Director Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK warned of a “disaster”, saying: “The Government’s decision to slash entitlement to has been a disaster for many older people. Making it available only to pensioners who receive pension credit has left millions of the poorest and most vulnerable unprotected this winter.”
She said a “partial solution” would be to automatically give the payments to “older people receiving housing benefit, council tax support, personal independence allowance, and carers allowance”.
Ms Abrahams added: “The current cold snap should be coming to an end in the next few days but winter is far from over – it is still very cold and icy and admissions to hospital are soaring for people with flu and breathing problems. Being chronically cold is terrible for older people’s health and is why the really matters: it gives older people the confidence to run their heating and stay warm.”
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A Government spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the . All eligible claims to Pension Credit can still be backdated by three months and is worth on average £4,200 so we continue to urge everyone eligible to apply.
“Many households will benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”