Around 780,000 pensioners in England and Wales are expected to lose their winter fuel allowance due to new rules that require claiming pension credit to retain the benefit. Government analysis indicates that over 70% of disabled pensioners, approximately 1.6 million, will also lose their payments, alongside 83% of those aged 80 and over. Although the Treasury maintains that over a million pensioners will still qualify, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) projects that many eligible individuals will not apply for the benefits they are entitled to. Critics, including the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats, have accused the government of failing to conduct a proper impact assessment of the policy. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer defended the cuts, asserting they are necessary for economic stabilization. The ongoing controversy highlights significant disparities in eligibility and the potential financial impact on vulnerable groups.