PUBLIC polling has told the Labour government to think again on axing pensioners’ fuel payments as fears grow that even those who remain eligible for the aid may not receive it in time.
A YouGov poll found that 59 per cent of the public oppose Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to scrap winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners to help balance the government’s books.
Only 28 per cent of people back the move, according to the survey.
End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator Simon Francis said: “It’s clear ministers have not thought this through.
“When the Chancellor cruelly snatched away the winter fuel payment from millions of pensioners, she promised to help households who are eligible to claim the benefit.
“But as it takes so long to process new claims, even those applying now may be forced into a back-dating procedure which could delay payments.”
Almost 900,000 pensioners must apply for the pension credit if they want the payments this winter, but a recorded message on the official helpline warns that they may not have their application processed in time.
National Pensioners Convention general secretary Jan Shortt added: “Choosing pensioners as an easy option to cut support from is set to condemn hundreds of thousands of older and vulnerable people to a grim and potentially life-threatening winter ahead.”
And Jonathan Bean from Fuel Poverty Action said: “The winter fuel payment axe has been wielded at short notice and with no consultation. And now the whole process is mired in confusion.
“Older people who will be left fearful of the winter ahead. Many will be unsure if they will get the winter fuel payment or not and delays to payments will only add to the misery.
“The government needs to face up to the fact that this policy is unpopular and dangerous and change track.”
A government spokesperson said: “About 1.3m households in England and Wales will continue to receive winter fuel payments and our warm home discount is expected to support three million households.”
The YouGov poll shows that the government’s clean energy policies, including the establishment of the publicly owned GB Energy, are more popular with the public.
