Age UK Cymru: Older people left cold by UK Budget cuts
In the wake of Wednesday’s Budget, older people in Wales are facing the prospect of increased hardship as Age UK Cymru highlights the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for thousands of vulnerable individuals.
The charity expressed disappointment with the Chancellor’s measures, stating that the Budget lacked the necessary support to address rising energy costs, which many older individuals on low incomes already struggle to afford.
In a statement, Age UK Cymru warned that these cuts could leave many elderly people unable to afford adequate heating during the winter months.
A spokesperson for the charity said, “We’re hugely disappointed by the Chancellor’s lack of mitigating measures or financial support for the thousands of older people in Wales who will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment.”
The Winter Fuel Payment, a long-standing benefit designed to help older individuals cover heating costs during the coldest months, was reduced or removed for many in this Budget.
Age UK Cymru is calling on both the UK and Welsh governments to widen eligibility criteria to ensure that more elderly people can access this support.
The charity specifically suggests including those who receive benefits such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Carer’s Allowance as eligible for Winter Fuel Payments.
Despite this call for increased eligibility, Age UK Cymru acknowledges that some vulnerable individuals would still be left out under current criteria.
To address this, the charity suggests that the UK Government should look into using data-matching techniques to identify low-income individuals more accurately, with the goal of automatically extending Winter Fuel Payment coverage to those in need.
In an effort to counterbalance the loss of direct fuel payments, the UK Budget did include a boost to the Household Support Fund, which provides grants to local councils for distribution among vulnerable households.
Age UK Cymru welcomed this additional funding, though it remains unclear how it will translate into direct support for older people in Wales.
Age UK Cymru said it “looks forward to seeing how this translates in support for older people in Wales” but noted that increased support is urgently needed as energy prices continue to challenge those on fixed incomes.
The charity said it will continue its campaign for expanded financial assistance, underscoring the need for a more robust safety net to protect older people from the effects of the rising cost of living and fuel inflation.
