Health: Weather

Department for Work and Pensions written question – answered am ar 11 Medi 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Jessica Asato Jessica Asato Llafur, Lowestoft

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Winter Fuel Payment on the demand for health care.

Photo of Emma Reynolds Emma Reynolds The Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement.

Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.

Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.

The Government is committed to a preventative approach to public health. Keeping people warm and well at home and improving the quality of new and existing homes will play an essential part in enabling people to live longer, healthier lives and reducing pressures on the NHS.

We are also providing support through our Warm Homes Plan which pensioners will benefit from. This will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.

In making a decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Government had regard to the equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes2 people think so

No3 people think not

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