Winter Fuel payment losing its value

Gordon Brown boasted at Prime Minister's Questions this week of Labour's introduction of the Winter Fuel Payment. What he neglected to mention was how far its original value has been eroded by inflation and recent extreme price rises.

In fact, it now it only just pays for a quarter of a pensioner’s fuel bills.

The amount of the Winter Fuel Payment has been frozen at £200 for
five years.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny
Alexander said:

“As fuel bills rise, thousands of older people won’t be able to afford to
heat their homes this winter.

“While the cost of heating homes has rocketed and the value of the basic
state pension has plummeted, the Government has frozen the Winter Fuel Payment at £200 for five years.

“The Liberal Democrats would restore the earnings link to pensions to ensure older people would be better off.”