Labour sent warning over pensioners after winter fuel payment U-turn

Labour is facing fresh pressure over pensioners after new research found the majority of the public think they should get more support from the Government. The poll revealed that nearly four in five people believe older people in poverty is an issue in the UK.

An overwhelming 82% said OAPs should get more help and attention from the Government, while 81% said policies backing pensioners would influence their vote in a general election. Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson said: “This important research has revealed that the UK voting public are acutely aware of the issues impacting older people in poverty, and a huge majority expects the UK Government to listen and consider their needs.

“With almost two million older people living in poverty, the UK Government has a moral duty to reduce this number and support those currently living in financial hardship.

“We know firsthand from speaking to the older people in poverty what an isolating and difficult experience it can be.

“It means going to bed early to stay warm, not washing regularly to save on water, and limiting yourself to one meal a day. This shouldn’t be happening in modern-day Britain.

“The UK Government must take the opportunity to address later life poverty."

The poll by Public First comes after Labour U-turned on the deeply unpopular decision to axe winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week announced that nine million older people will receive the allowance this year, with the payments restored to those with an income of under £35,000 a year.

But Ms Elson warned that the move is only the start when it comes to tackling pensioner poverty.

She added: “While positive, this isn’t the silver bullet that will solve pensioner poverty, and it puts many back to the same financially strained situations they were in previously.

“The ultimate goal should be the long-term financial security of all older people. This will be difficult, but there are policies that can make this a reality for current and future generations.

“The UK Government should work with water and energy companies to introduce a social tariff for both utilities. This will help protect those on low incomes from future spikes in costs.

“There also needs to be a consensus among all the political parties on the adequate income needed in later life to avoid financial hardship. Once this is established, plans can be put into place to ensure every older person receives this amount. With the political will, poverty in later life can become a relic of the past.”

The polling, which was carried out before the winter fuel reversal, also found the majority of people – 61% – said policies introduced during the last 12 months have negatively impacted older people in poverty.

The winter fuel payment axe caused the most damage, with 69% saying it was bad for OAPs.

Pensioner Rob Trewhella, 68, from Cornwall, said: “It’s heartening to see that the general public view older people on low incomes, like myself, as an important group that needs support.

“Last winter was extremely difficult for me, as I lost the winter fuel payment and I could no longer cope with the tough hours of being a cab driver, so my income took a massive hit. I was regularly sitting in a cold home and rationing my food.

“Thankfully, I will be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, which will make a difference.

“I hope the UK Government pays attention to this research. I would like to see them look into the income tax personal allowance, so it never goes below the value of the new state pension.

“I would like to remain active, so I’m currently looking for part-time work, but because I sit just under the tax threshold, even a very modest income would push me into the next tax bracket. I don’t think that is fair.”

In its report, Together Against Poverty in Later Life, which will be launched on Wednesday, Independent Age will call for a cross-party review on what an adequate income in later life should be.

The charity makes a series of recommendations, including developing a new take-up strategy so older people can receive benefits they are entitled to and appointing a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England to act as a champion for pensioners.

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer’s Government faced an intense backlash for restricting winter fuel payments to only OAPs on pension credit during its first weeks in office.

Ministers blamed a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they denied.

The controversial policy was widely blamed for Labour’s pummelling in last month’s local elections.

The poll of 2,014 UK adults was carried out from April 4-10.

A Government spokesperson said: “Thanks to our commitment to the triple lock, millions will see their state pension rise by £1,900 and annual spending on the state pension will rise by a record £31bn by the end of this Parliament.

“In addition, following the biggest ever campaign to boost pension credit take-up, nearly 60,000 extra pensioners are now receiving financial support worth up to £4,300 a year.

“On top of this, nine million pensioners will receive a winter fuel payment this year to support them during the colder months.”