WE have begun the year in the grip of bone-chilling Arctic blasts. It could not have come at a worse time for the nearly ten million UK pensioners whose Winter Fuel Payments have just been axed. 4 Help beat the cold and pressures of higher fuel charges Credit: Getty It also coincides with a rise in energy bills for 26million customers on standard tariffs.
Prices went up by 1.2 per cent on January 1, costing households on average an extra £21 a year. It follows a ten per cent hike in October, when bills shot up £149.
The UK Health Security Agency said an amber alert for cold weather will remain until at least Wednesday. OAPs already faced a hard winter after Chancellor Rachel Reeves ’ Autumn Statement decreeing that the Winter Fuel Payment — which used to be paid to anyone of state- pension age — would be means-tested, with only those on certain benefits including Pension Credit keeping it. READ MORE IN MONEY BACK FROM THE BRINK Brit fashion and homeware brand bought by US company after going bust PAYBACK Santander issues warning to thousands of customers after they were paid TWICE Sun campaign The deadline to apply for Pension Credit in time to keep this year’s payment passed just before Christmas.
Age UK’s director Caroline Abrahams said: “We urge older people to do everything they can to stay warm, even if that means risking spending more on their heating than they feel they can afford.” But many are unaware that Winter Fuel Payments are just one of a number.
