Pensioners demand Winter Fuel Allowance remains universal

11/06/2009

Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has criticised the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee for suggesting that the annual Winter Fuel Allowance should become a means-tested benefit.

Dot Gibson, NPC general secretary said: “It’s about time the politicians realised that means-testing and pensioners simply don’t mix. If they decide to means-test the winter fuel allowance we will see millions of older people stop claiming it. Even now we have 20,000 pensioners dying every year from cold related illnesses, and if the winter fuel allowance is means-tested that figure will certainly increase. The most efficient way of getting help to the poorest in our society is not through some Victorian notion of having a deserving poor – but through universal schemes that give people support in a dignified way. Society can then claim back the money from those who
are deemed to be “too wealthy” through progressive income tax.”