Age UK responds to assurance that more pensioners will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter

Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “We are encouraged by the Chancellor's words today, but will wait to see the detail, which needs to be published very soon if changes are to be made in time for this winter, something that is absolutely crucial if we're to protect the pensioners at greatest risk.

“At Age UK we have consistently said that our biggest worry about the Government's policy is that it resulted in about 2.5 million older people losing their Winter Fuel Payment when they couldn't afford to do so.

“We saw the results in the winter just gone, with many pensioners on low and modest incomes not even trying to keep their homes sufficiently warm, for fear of running up a sky high bill. We must avoid a repeat this year and if the Government is to reform its policy in a way that achieves this, we will be both pleased and relieved."