Concern Winter Fuel Payment Cut Will Leave Harborough Pensioners Cold

There are concerns some Harborough pensioners will struggle to afford to heat their homes after the government made cuts to winter fuel payments.

The changes mean just over 1,200 people across the district will continue to receive up to £300, to help pay their energy bills during the colder months.

The payments were previously made to over 20,000 people above state pension age across Harborough, but will now only be paid to those on benefits or Pension Credit, which is just 6% of the area’s elderly population.

Age UK has expressed concern at the decision and launched a petition demanding a re-think, which is being backed by Harborough’s Conservative MP Neil O’Brien, who has been contacted by concerned constituents.

He says many pensioners fall just outside the threshold for payments and will struggle without them:

A government spokesperson said: “This government is committed to pensioners: protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our warm homes plan and cutting NHS waiting lists.

“Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, this government must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy.

“In these circumstances, it is right that winter fuel payments are targeted at those in most need, and we will work with local authorities to boost uptake of pension credit, reaching the many pensioners who could still benefit from this year’s winter fuel payments.”