Labor demands clarity on winter fuel payments following minister's remarks

Darren Jones, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, wrote to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt about the comments. Photo: Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament

The Labor Party has called on Jeremy Hunt to say whether he and Rishi Sunak agree with the minister who said depriving wealthy pensioners of winter fuel payments should be considered.

On Sunday The Telegraph published a recording in which John Glen, the general treasurer, questioned last month whether all pensioners should continue to receive benefits.

Mr Glen said the money could be provided. better spent on fighting child poverty. The Treasury has made it clear that changes to winter fuel charges will not be announced in Wednesday's autumn statement.

But Darren Jones, Labour's shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, wrote to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt about the comments and demanded clarity.

«Pensioners will be deeply concerned about such speculation, particularly as we head into winter, and are concerned that their incomes may be at risk from this government,» Mr Jones wrote.

“Clarify whether this is the view of the Prime Minister; to clarify whether this is the view of HM Treasury; clarify what discussions have taken place regarding the future of winter fuel payments; explain which groups of pensioners, in the opinion of the Treasurer General, should not receive payment for winter fuel; and confirm whether the Government is considering any other changes to pensioner income and whether the Government remains committed to the triple lock on the state pension.»

The Treasury has not yet responded to the letter.

The Treasury has not yet responded to the letter.

p> John Glen, general treasurer, last month questioned whether winter fuel payments should continue apply to all pensioners. Photo: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

Mr Glen made his comments at a Cambridge Conservative event at St John's College on October 26. At the time he was Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the second most senior ministerial position in the Treasury.

The winter fuel payment ranges from £250 to £600 and is for those born before 25 September 1957. to help with your energy bills. About 11.4 million pensioners received it last winter, meaning millions could theoretically lose out if it becomes means tested.

The government's public position is that the benefit should remain universal, meaning pensioners receive it regardless of their financial situation.

But Mr Glen has expressed interest in changing In this approach, pensioners will not receive a payment so that it is good.

On Sunday the Treasury made it clear that the change would not be announced in the Autumn Statement. A government spokesman said: «We're not going to do that.»