Over 150,000 Suffolk residents to lose winter fuel payments

Last week, the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a plan to restrict winter fuel payments to those only on pension credits or other means-tested benefits. 

Now, data has revealed 155,366 Suffolk residents are set to stop receiving the payment as they will no longer be classed as eligible.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves making a statement in the House of Commons (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

Some 24,776 people were eligible for the payments in Mid Suffolk in 2022-23, but just 1,604 will be eligible in the future, meaning some 93.53% of residents will lose out. 

In Babergh, 23,270 people were eligible in 2022-23 which has now been reduced to 1,644, some 92.94% less.

In West Suffolk, 35,207 people were eligible in 2022-23, now down 91.79% to just 2,891. 

In East Suffolk, 64,652 people were eligible in 2022-23. This total has been reduced to 5,255, meaning 91.87% of these residents are no longer entitled.

And in Ipswich, some 21,544 people were eligible in 2022-23, but now just 2,689 people are, 87.52% down. 

Chiara Saunders, chief executive of Citizens Advice East Suffolk, said: "These figures are a cause for concern as, whilst not all households of pensionable age rely on the payment, many do.

"It is important that people check their eligibility for Pension Credit - if they, or someone they trust, is able they can check themselves using an online tool like entitled to or they can approach their local Citizens Advice for a benefit check.

"You need to be claiming Pension Credit in the qualifying week of September 16-22, 2024 so it is sensible not to delay doing this.

"If people don't qualify for pension credit but are worried about meeting their winter fuel bills they may qualify for the Warm Home Discount which reopens in October 2024 and is worth £150 or for funds available through the Household Support Fund.

"People can contact your local Citizens Advice if they are worried and unsure what support may be available to them." 

Chiara Saunders (Image: Newsquest)

The Suffolk Community Foundation has been running the Surviving Winter campaign for 13 years, each year raising more than £150,000 given as grants to families and older people who need support covering their fuel costs - which have sky-rocketed in recent years.

Last week, Anna Hughes, interim chief executive, said: "The need for support this winter will be as strong as ever, but the reality is that many families and older people might now not receive the help they desperately need.

"At the foundation we will to work with local organisations to do what we can to continue to support people in our communities."

A Mid Suffolk District Council spokesperson said: "We recognise the risk of fuel poverty for our residents and are already taking steps to tackle it – helping residents to stay warm and save on bills whether they are in private accommodation or in council homes." 

The council has a Cosy Homes initiative, dedicated to making private sector homes in Mid Suffolk warmer, more economical to heat and more environmentally friendly by improving their energy efficiency. 

The window for the next round of applications opens on Monday September 2, and full details and eligibility criteria are available on its website.

Cllr Richard Winch, Mid Suffolk’s cabinet member for housing and property, said at the time: “We know there is still so much work to be done to make all homes energy-efficient, this is a really positive step forward. It also shows how seriously our council is taking this issue.”

Other initiatives include retrofitting and decarbonising council homes and last winter they supported 14 separate community projects across the district through their Living Well in Winter grant.

A spokesperson said they can offer advice to those struggling with the rising cost of energy, fuel and utilities, housing, food and essentials via its website.

Nationally, the policy is expected to reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the payment by about 10million - from 11.4million to 1.5million - saving some £1.4billion this financial year.

The government will continue to provide £200 to households receiving pension credit and £300 to those households with someone over the age of 80.

The Chancellor's announcement was made as part of a spending inheritance statement delivered in parliament.

It came as Mrs Reeves said the government has inherited a projected overspend of £22billion from the previous Conservative administration. 

She added that there would be an effort to maximise the take-up of pension credit by working with charities and local authorities.