Means-Tested Fuel Payments May Push 100,000 into Poverty

The UK government's decision to means-test winter fuel payments is projected to push up to 100,000 pensioners into poverty by 2027, according to an impact assessment by the Department for Work and Pensions. This policy change, first announced by Labour's Rachel Reeves, replaces the universal payment with one contingent on pension credit eligibility, sparking criticism from various quarters. In Northern Ireland, a one-off £100 payment has been introduced to mitigate the impact on affected households, funded by an additional £17 million secured by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour has pledged to reinstate universal payments if they gain power, challenging the UK-wide Labour stance. While some pensioners support the means-testing, believing it's fairer, others have expressed concerns about the financial strain it imposes. The policy has inadvertently increased pension credit claims, highlighting a gap in the uptake of available benefits.