Pensioners speak out about losing £300
June 19, 2025
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8:03Now PlayingPensioners speak out about losing £300
YouTube Description
as posted by the channelPrime Minister Keir Starmer announced a U-turn on his cut to the universal winter fuel payment.
The winter fuel payment is a lump sum of £200 a year for households with a pensioner under 80, or £300 for households with a pensioner over 80.
It was previously paid in winter to all pensioners. But, following the cut, 10.3 million pensioners lost out on the payment last year after the new government cut eligibility to include only those who qualify for pension credit or other income-related benefits.
It was projected to save the Government an estimated £1.4bn, but was politically controversial and Starmer faced backlash from the Commons, media, and public.
Ahead of Rachel Reeves' Spending Review earlier this month, the Government announced that pensioners in England and Wales with an annual income of £35,000 or less will be eligible for the winter fuel payment, alongside those on means-tested benefits.
This means more than three-quarters of pensioners will receive the winter fuel payment this year.
However, some young people, many of whom will earn less than £35k a year themselves, feel that the Government is prioritising older generations, while they are left to struggle with the cost of living, spiralling rents, and getting on the housing ladder.
So, PoliticsJOE went to the oldest place in Britain to ask pensioners what they make of the U-turn - and if it's fair.
Rustington in West Sussex has the highest median age at 56 of any town in the UK. The average house price is just over 400,000. And, many of its residents moved to the idyllic seaside town in retirement.
Reporter: Laura Beveridge
Videographer: Joel Dunn-Wilson
Video Editor: Laura Beveridge
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