Veterans across the UK have lost the winter fuel payment despite serving their country amid Labour’s “attack on pensioners”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey meeting Ukrainian troops in Norfolk (Image: Getty)
Ministers have failed to assess how many veterans have lost their winter fuel payment, the Government has admitted.
Liberal Democrat MP and ex-army captain Helen Maguire said she was “deeply disappointed” by this move.
The veteran, who served as an army captain in Iraq and Bosnia, said: “I’m deeply disappointed to hear the government has failed to assess how this winter fuel cut will hit veterans.
“It looks like the government rushed into this decision without a thought for their duty to ex-servicemen and women.
“Veterans should not have to bear the brunt of this government’s decisions and the past government’s economic failure.
“I’m calling on the Work and Pensions Minister today to reconsider immediately and to carry out a full impact assessment into how our veterans will suffer this coming winter.”
Ms Maguire used a parliamentary question to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether she has made an estimate of the number of armed forces veterans who will no longer be eligible for the winter fuel payment because of changes to the eligibility criteria.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided to axe the up to £300 lifeline for older people and make it means-tested for those on pension credit.
This means up to 10 million people will no longer receive the payment from this winter.
Ministers also failed to carry out a wider impact assessment on the withdrawal of the winter fuel payment from the bulk of pensioners.
In response to Ms Maguire’s question, Parliamentary Secretary at the Department of Work and Pensions Emma Reynolds, said: “We have made no such estimate and are not able to do so as we do not collect specific data on veterans over pension age receiving benefits and pensions.
“Winter Fuel 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 eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over.
“This means that the winter fuel payment will be better targeted to low-income pensioners who need it. The UK Government wants those eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it to receive the benefits they are entitled to, including their winter fuel payment.”
Campaigners have demanded that Ms Reeves U-turns on her decision at next Wednesday’s budget.