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Major Winter Fuel Payment changes confirmed for pensioners by Rachel ReevesThe change to Winter Fuel Payments comes weeks after it was first teased by PM Keir Starmer and follows the Labour

government slashing eligibility last year.CommentsOlivia Sheed Audience Writer11:20, 04 Jun 2025Reeves has faced a lot of scrutiny as Chancellor(Image: Getty Images) Labour Chancellor Rachel

Reeves has confirmed changes to the means testing of Winter Fuel Payments will be in place for this winter, meaning more pensioners will be able to claim the payment. She also announced a

record £15.6 billion package for public transport in northern areas.

When asked about winter fuel payments, she confirmed that they were examining the conditions of the means testing that determines who can claim the benefit. However, she also confirmed that

there wouldn't be a return to the old methods where every pensioner would be guaranteed help.

‌ At an event in Manchester, Reeves said: "I had to make decisions last year to restore sound public finances, and that involved a number of difficult decisions around welfare, taxation and

also public spending - including the decision to means test winter fuel payments so only the poorest pensioners, those on pension credit, got it.

‌ "We have now put our public finances on a firmer footing. The economy is in a better shape. But we have now put our public finances on a firmer footing. The economy is in a better shape,

but we have also listened to the concerns that people had about the level of the means test.

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Article continues below "So we will be making changes to that. They will be in place so that pensioners are paid this coming winter, and we'll announce the details of that and the level of

that as soon as we possibly can." Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the benefits near the end of May, stating: "That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward more pensioners are

eligible for winter fuel payments."

Despite the good news, people will need to wait some time to see what the means testing could look like. Starmer said that the changes would only be enacted during a so-called "fiscal event"

- in other words, the budget or a spending review. Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone over 65 (state pension age) and receive Pension

Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help pensioners cover heating costs over the winter months, recieving between £200 and £300 in a one-off payment. The cut had divided many in the Labour

party, including local MPs. Ashington and Blyth MP Ian Lavery said: "The Government must urgently re-think not only its position on the Winter Fuel Allowance but its entire direction of

travel. Last year, the public voted for change — and yet we've failed to convince them that we're serious about delivering it."