The Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has said 86% of pensioners in Northern Ireland will be eligible for the winter fuel payment this year. It comes after the governmentperformed a U-turn on its controversial policy. Labour had initially scrapped the universal payment as a cost saving measure. But now those with an income of £35,000 or below are eligible for the grant. Lyons toldBBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programmethat his officials have assessed that the change in policy will mean 288,000 pensioners are in line for the payment. "For comparison, across the UK as a whole about 80% of pensioners will retain [the payment], but it's slightly higher in Northern Ireland because of our lower incomes," he said. "This has been a mess from the start. The government have a lot to answer for on this. This has been handled horrifically by the government and has put a lot of worry and concern into the minds of our older people." Lyons had secured £17m from Stormontto provide a £100 one-off paymentfor those affected by the cut last winter. He said the Labour government's policy was misguided. "I said from the start this would not have saved the government a lot of money," he said. "What we have seen is a number of pensioners reach out for help and realise they are eligible for pension credit, which is a passport for other benefits. So in that regard it'll actually cost the government more." Winter fuel payments were created in 1997 to help everyone above state pension age with their winter heating bills. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced last year that winter 2024 would be the first time pensioners in England and Wales would not be eligible for the payment. Northern Ireland was forced to follow suit. Payments were then restricted to those on benefits and pension credit.
Over 288,000 NI pensioners could get fuel payment - Lyons
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"Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Confirms Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility for 86% of Pensioners"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced that 86% of pensioners in Northern Ireland will be eligible for the winter fuel payment this year, following a government reversal on its previous policy. Initially, the Labour government had scrapped the universal payment as a cost-saving measure, limiting the payment to those with an income of £35,000 or below. This change in policy is expected to benefit approximately 288,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland. Lyons highlighted that while about 80% of pensioners across the UK will retain the payment, Northern Ireland's eligibility is slightly higher due to generally lower income levels among its pensioners. He criticized the government's handling of the situation, stating that it has caused considerable anxiety among older citizens and described the approach as a 'mess' that the government must address.
In addition to the winter fuel payment, Lyons previously secured £17 million from Stormont to provide a one-off payment of £100 for those affected by the cuts last winter. He criticized the Labour government's initial decision as misguided, arguing that it would not have resulted in significant savings. Instead, he noted that many pensioners have reached out for assistance and discovered they qualify for pension credit, which could lead to additional benefits. This means that the government's decision may ultimately result in higher costs rather than savings. The winter fuel payment scheme, established in 1997 to assist pensioners with heating expenses, will now face new restrictions, especially as the Chancellor announced that winter 2024 would mark the first time pensioners in England and Wales would not be eligible for the payment, with Northern Ireland being compelled to follow suit. The changes have sparked a crucial discussion about the financial support available to older citizens during the winter months.
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