Campaigners against cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance have today welcomed a major u-turn by the Labour Govt as the Chancellor announced she would reinstate Winter Fuel Allowances to the vast majority of pensioners.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has today (Monday 9th June) announced pensioners on less than £35,000 a year income will now qualify for the allowance. She also indicated pensioners on more than £35,000 a year will still receive the payment, but it will be reclaimed from them.
Over 31,000 Torbay Pensioners lost up to £300 of vital support last winter due to the cut announced by the Labour Government shortly after the General Election. This prompted an angry reaction across Torbay, with many backing the #KeepWinterFuel campaign organised by former Torbay MP Kevin Foster.
Pressure for a U-turn by the Labour Government increased after it was revealed there were over 100,000 more A&E visits by over 65s across the country last winter.
Commenting on today’s news Kevin Foster said:
“Thanks to the residents who supported the Keep Winter Fuel campaign and sustained pressure on the government, thousands of vulnerable pensioners across our bay will now get the vital support they need to keep their home warm this winter.”
“This cut never needed to be made and the u-turn today confirms this.”
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