Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the arrival of the Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments for pensioner households in Wealden, worth up to £600, as part of the Government’s record £104 billion cost of living support package.
Over the past month, around 11.9 million payments totalling more than £4.8 billion have been made to pensioners across the UK. This means that more than 99 percent of eligible pensioners have now received up to £600 per household to help with their energy bill this Christmas for the second year running as the Government continues to target support at those most in need.
The payments build on the Government’s commitment to supporting pensioners and ensuring dignity in retirement. Following this year’s record 10.1 per cent increase to the State Pension, it will increase again by 8.5 per cent from April 2024, in line with earnings – bringing the New State Pension to over £11,500 a year, an increase of more than £900.
Further support has also been made available for vulnerable households this winter. Low-income households are receiving Cost of Living Payments worth £900 during 2023-24, and nearly three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount. The Cold Weather Payment has also now come into effect providing eligible households an extra £25 a week when the temperature drops below zero degrees for more than seven days.
Nusrat Ghani said: “The Government took unprecedented action to support households across the country from the impact of rising prices driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic. Pensioners in Wealden are already receiving record increases to their State Pension, and these latest payments will make a huge difference and help with further their energy bills and household budgets this Christmas and into next year.”
