Winter fuel payments have been axed, but the Household Support fund remains
Labour have revealed they will be extending the fund to help ease cost-of-living pressures over the winter.
Previously Labour have faced major criticisms after they revealed plans to scrap winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners in England and Wales due to limited funds. However, the political party have now claimed they will be distributing the money in the Household Support Fund to councils, who can use the scheme to give struggling households small payments.
Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, has said the plan will come into place in the coming weeks.
‘Pensioners and others struggling with the cost-of-living over the colder months should contact their local council to see what support may be available to them,’ Ms Kendall said.
Plans to scrap some winter fuel payments is expected to reduce the number of older people who receive the payment from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving the Treasury £1.4bn this financial year.
However, the government are facing plans to rethink this decision after Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed last week that the upcoming autumn budget would be ‘painful’.
Overall, the Household Support Fund, which was originally introduced in 2021, is worth £421m in England and will run until the end of March 2025, despite it being set to end in September.
The scheme is aimed at vulnerable people and is for councils to help people afford their food, energy and water bill. The money also includes cash for devolved administration in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to spend as they choose.
Image: Fabian Blank
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