Overview

• July 2024 means-testing slashed winter fuel payment recipients from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving about £1.5 billion
• Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged that the eligibility threshold will be raised so more pensioners receive support this winter
• Pensions minister Torsten Bell confirmed that payments will remain means-tested and ruled out a universal scheme for all pensioners
• Ministers will outline detailed income- or benefit-based eligibility reforms in the autumn budget
• Labour MPs blamed the original means-test for poor local election results, prompting the government’s partial policy reversal