Northern Ireland Communities minister Gordon Lyons has described the Chancellor’s recent announcement on cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment as ‘disappointing’.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in a statement to the House of Commons that from this autumn, those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300.
The move will see millions of pensioners across the UK lose the annual payment.
Rachel Reeves said she had to make "urgent decisions" because of the previous government's "undisclosed" overspending, and stated the new Government had been left with a £22bn hole in public finances.
Commenting on the Chancellor’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:
“The announcement to limit the Winter Fuel Payment is disappointing news which will impact upon many in our society. For those who are less well off, it creates an additional financial burden. It also comes amid a range of cost-of-living pressures, which will be unwelcome for some and intolerable for many.
“Warmth is a necessity, not a luxury. Depriving older people of the means to heat their homes is not only difficult for pensioners facing fuel poverty but is likely to have a detrimental impact on their physical and mental health.
“I will be providing an update for my Executive colleagues in due course.
“In the meantime, I would ask everyone to check their benefit entitlements, and ensure they claim all the benefits, supports and services that are available to them. Pension Credit, in particular, is a vital top-up for those on low incomes.”
Ministers here in Northern Ireland will now have to decide whether to follow the UK government’s decision to restrict winter fuel payments.