- The government has been criticised for unclear messaging around upcoming changes to the winter fuel payment, with millions of pensioners left are uncertain.
- No decisions regarding the winter fuel allowance will be made until the Autumn budget, the science secretary has indicated, despite speculation of an announcement at next week’s spending review.
- Peter Kyle said that the spending review will set overall constraints for government departments, with specific allocations to be determined later.
- The government faces a challenge to implement changes between the October budget and the winter months, following Rachel Reeves' confirmation of a U-turn on controversial cuts for this winter.
- Changes to winter fuel payments, which previously provided £300 to help with energy costs, aim to target those most in need, with concerns raised about pushing 100,000 pensioners into poverty by 2026.
IN FULL
No decision on winter fuel allowance until autumn, minister says
