Title page
Contents
Summary 4
1. Introduction 8
1.1. Background to the Winter Fuel Payments scheme 8
1.2. Eligibility rules prior to winter 2024/2025 9
1.3. Winter Fuel Payment rates 13
1.4. Statistics 14
1.5. Northern Ireland and Scotland 15
2. Commentary and debate on the Winter Fuel Payment 18
2.1. Commentary on how the Winter Fuel Payment addresses fuel poverty 18
2.2. Debates around reforming Winter Fuel Payment 19
2.3. Party manifesto commitments 21
3. Chancellor's announcement on 29 July 2024 23
3.1. Implementing the changes to the eligibility rules 24
3.2. Increasing take-up of Pension Credit 27
3.3. Changes in Scotland and Northern Ireland 30
4. Reactions to the announcement 32
4.1. Age UK petition 32
4.2. 'Cliff edge' concerns 33
4.3. Mitigating measures 33
4.4. Analysis of alternative options 34
4.5. Processing of new Pension Credit claims 35
4.6. Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee report 36