Wes Streeting says pensioners should ‘layer up’ as millions struggle without winter fuel payment
A yellow warning for snow and ice, which covers most of England and Wales, is in place from lunchtime on Saturday until 9am on Monday.
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Your support makes all the difference.The health secretary has advised pensioners to “layer up” amid warnings that millions will struggle after ministers axed their winter fuel payments.
Wes Streeting also said the next few days were “definitely” a time “to turn the heating on” as temperatures plummet and snow is forecast across the country.
A yellow warning for snow and ice, covering most of England and Wales, is in place from 12pm on Saturday until 9am on Monday.
A separate warning for heavy snow from midnight on Sunday until 12pm on Monday has been issued for most of Scotland.
Mr Streeting told BBC Breakfast: "We are heading into a cold snap this weekend and I know there are lots of concerns, not just amongst charity leaders, but also among NHS and social care leaders as well, about the particular risks and vulnerabilities this weekend as temperatures drop, both in terms of risk of accident and injury, but also risk from the cold itself.
"This is a weekend to wrap up and keep warm, to take sensible precautions about going out and about."
Mr Streeting had been asked about warnings from Age UK that 2.5 million people need the winter fuel allowance but will not receive it after ministers changed the eligibility.
In a much-criticised move, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last July that the payment would be mainly limited to those who receive pension credit.
Mr Streeting was also told Age UK has said elderly and vulnerable people who are cold should go into debt rather than risk their health.
Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson Steve Darling MP urged the government to reverse its “ill-conceived” decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions.
He said: “We are about to see the heartbreaking and frankly dangerous consequences of this plan as temperatures plummet and older people are forced to freeze.
“Instead of asking pensioners to layer up, the government should instead pay up and reinstate Winter Fuel Payments.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Wearing more layers and staying in bed for longer might have worked for older people when the weather was mild, but now it has got really cold and there’s snow and frost around it won’t be enough to keep them adequately warm.
“So our plea to older people today is please put your health first and use the heating you’ve got to stay warm and well over the next very cold few days, even if that means your energy bills will be higher than you think you can really afford. Your energy company is under an obligation to help you if you are struggling with your bills, so reach out to them if you are worried, and your local council may be able to help you too. And of course, do feel free to call the Age UK advice line, or check out our website, to make sure you are receiving all the financial help which is lawfully yours - since we know that many are missing out on the money they are due.”
“Unfortunately, it has become increasingly clear that the Government’s decision to make the Winter Fuel Payment available only to pensioners who receive Pension Credit has left millions of the poorest and most vulnerable older people unprotected this winter.
“That’s because, as we predicted, hundreds of thousands who should be getting the benefit haven’t claimed it in the relatively short time available to them to do so, plus many more are on low incomes that take them just above the line to claim.”
Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said:“It’s welcome that the health secretary has heard the warnings from health, social care and charity leaders about the dangers of cold damp homes.
“But sadly his Government’s response to this winter has left millions of elderly and disabled people unable to afford to put the heating on as he suggests.
Ministers have defended the change, arguing they have to “get the money from somewhere” and blaming the last Conservative government for leaving a £22bn black hole in the public finances.
They have also urged less well-off pensioners to apply for pension credit, under which they would still be eligible for the £200-300 winter fuel payment, designed to help with heating costs during the colder months.
Mr Streeting said: “Well this is definitely a weekend to turn the heating on, and I would just remind people that the chancellor did take the decision to protect winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners to protect people this winter and in future winters.
“And of course the triple lock on pensions is guaranteed, so the state pension is higher this winter than it was last year and will be higher further still next year. That’s why the chancellor has taken those decisions, to make sure we protect the vulnerable this winter.
“But I would certainly agree that this weekend is a weekend to layer up and put the heating on as well.”
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