Keir Starmer Plans Winter Fuel Payment Change – But Hidden Conditions Leave Pensioners Worried!

Prime Minister Keir Starmer may be preparing to change the Winter Fuel Payment policy after facing strong public criticism over the past few months. The payment, which used to be available to all older people, now only goes to those receiving Pension Credit, following a decision made last year by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. This means many pensioners lost out on up to £300 in help with their energy bills.

Now, there are talks within the government about possibly raising the income limit for who can get this support. At the moment, only people earning below £11,500 and receiving Pension Credit are eligible. According to reports, Downing Street has been seriously discussing this issue, especially with concerns that many voters feel let down by Labour over the cuts.

While speaking to journalists in Albania, Starmer didn’t directly say whether the policy will change, even after being asked several times. However, he defended the original decision, saying it was part of difficult but necessary choices made in the Budget to stabilise the economy. He pointed to falling interest rates and improving economic growth as signs that those decisions were working.

Still, pressure is building. Some insiders believe Chancellor Rachel Reeves might announce changes on June 11, during her next spending review. Many believe this would be a step toward softening the damage done by last year’s cuts.

Simon Francis, from the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said a U-turn would be a good move, but warned that the details are crucial. He said they would judge any new version of the policy based on three things: whether the income limit is raised, whether a fair taper system is used to avoid cutting people off for being just £1 over the limit, and whether more people—like those on disability or carer benefits—are included.

He also raised concerns that Labour might cut back on their Warm Homes Plan, a major promise in their manifesto, which had a budget of £13.2 billion to improve energy efficiency.

Money expert Martin Lewis also spoke out, saying a policy change would be good, but it wouldn’t fix the real problem. He explained that many vulnerable pensioners—around 700,000 of them—don’t get Pension Credit because the process to apply is too complicated. That means they not only miss out on the credit itself, but also on Winter Fuel Payments. Lewis said this needs urgent attention if the government truly wants to support those most in need.