UK Pensioners Face Harsh Winter After Cuts to Fuel Payments

Labour's decision to restrict winter fuel payments leaves millions of retirees struggling to heat their homes as energy prices rise.

The UK government has limited the £300 winter fuel payment to low-income pensioners receiving specific benefits, leaving millions ineligible for support.
Energy regulator Ofgem announced a 1.2% rise in the energy price cap starting January, further straining household budgets during the coldest months of the year.
Charities and community groups have established over 4,500 'warm banks' to provide heated spaces for vulnerable individuals unable to afford heating at home.
Critics, including Labour MPs and advocacy groups, warn that the policy could push up to 100,000 pensioners into poverty annually and contribute to preventable deaths during the winter.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defends the cuts as necessary to address budget shortfalls, but the decision has sparked backlash from pensioners and political opponents alike.