Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed a government climbdown in its policy on winter fuel payments, after they were abruptly withdrawn last year from eleven million pensioners who were not in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit.
As of February 2025, there were 2,273 state pensioners claiming Pension Credit in South Shropshire. This is equivalent to 8.0% of state pensions in the constituency.
All older people will receive the payment but those with an income of more than £35,000 will have to return the cash. The decision will see more than two million pensioners miss out on the allowance, which is worth up to £300.
Stuart has warned that the fight to support older people is not over. Pensions, savings, cars, and houses are all in Labour's sights for punitive tax hikes at the Autumn Budget in November.
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly looking to tax pensioners to fill her economic blackhole after being forced to botched reforms to welfare provision.
Right now, Labour are consulting on the closure of Post Office branches across the country - a measure that will make it harder for the elderly to access vital services, from banking to keeping in touch with their friends and family.
