Cuts could hit winter fuel allowance

Cuts made by the Coalition Government have been big news and are an ongoing necessity, but news of the latest probably cuts have come as a big blow to the “middle-class” and the elderly.

The Treasury was known to be targeting the welfare budget for cuts, but it will all take a long time to get people back into work or tackle fraudulent claims. It is easier, it seems, to start clawing back money from other areas such as child benefit and the winter fuel allowance. Together these could save about £14bn.

The winter fuel allowance – so helpful to the elderly in cold winter periods – could be cut by as much as £100, according to reports in the Times and Daily Telegraph. At the moment all those over 60 are eligible for a £250 payment. Pensioners over 80 can claim £400 for their household. The scheme costs the Treasury £2.7bn per year.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “The qualifying age for winter fuel payments for men and women is rising in line with the increase in women's state pension age. This is a gradual process. Under the current system women's state pension age is rising from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and April 2020. We have launched a call for evidence on raising state pension age to 66 and will publish our response in the autumn.”

What's this?