The State Pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so protecting 12 million pensioners through the triple lock. Based on current forecasts, the full rate of the new state pension is set to increase by around £1,700 over the course of this Parliament.<\/p>
<\/p>
In making a decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Government had regard to an equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements<\/p>
<\/p>
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 80 and over.<\/p>
<\/p>
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren\u2019t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits \u2013 hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.<\/p>
We are also providing support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating \u2013 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.<\/p>
The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-18T09:59:20.43Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Winter Fuel Payment: Aldridge-Brownhills"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments on pensioners in Aldridge-Brownhills constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4358", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Wendy Morton"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aldridge-Brownhills"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Wendy Morton"} ], "uin" : "5060"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728424", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728424/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is committed to the Triple Lock, which means that in April 2025, the basic and new State pension will increase by the higher of the growth in average earnings, price increases or 2.5%.<\/p>
<\/strong><\/p> Over 12 million pensioners will benefit through our commitment to protect the Triple Lock. Over the course of this parliament, the full yearly rate of the new State Pension is forecast to increase by around £1,700.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-18T09:45:48.24Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "State Retirement Pensions"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people over the age of 65 receive adequate financial support through the State Pension.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5362", "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angus MacDonald"}
], "uin" : "5160"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728447", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728447/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " One of the Government\u2019s primary missions is to grow the economy, getting more people into work and helping those in work get better paid jobs is central to achieving this. The Government recognises and appreciates the vital contribution made by informal carers who provide invaluable support for children, relatives, partners, friends, and neighbours who may need care.<\/p> <\/p> Support is offered to those carers in receipt of Universal Credit, either on a voluntary basis for those eligible for Universal Credit Carer Element and / or Carers Allowance, or through individualised work coach support for part time carers. This support can include help from a work coach to access skills provision, referrals to contacted provision such as Restart, careers advice, job search support and access to the Flexible Support Fund to aid job entry.<\/p> <\/p> As part of our commitment to reform employment support through delivery of a new national jobs and careers service we will transform the current service and consider the specialist needs of specific groups in designing our new approach.<\/p> <\/p> Alongside employment support, the Government have also announced Plans to Make Work Pay, which will create a new partnership between business, trade unions and working people. The Plan to Make Work Pay will end exploitative zero hours contracts; end the scourge of fire and rehire practices; and introduce basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal. We will strengthen the collective voice of workers and create the Fair Work Agency to ensure employment rights are upheld.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4083", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison McGovern"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Alison McGovern"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-18T13:58:08.717Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Employment: Parents"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps her Department has taken to help ensure that parents of children with special educational needs can find work that meets their needs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4853", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Neil Hudson"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Epping Forest"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Neil Hudson"}
], "uin" : "5147"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728520", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728520/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren\u2019t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits \u2013 hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.<\/p> <\/p> The State Pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so protecting 12 million pensioners through the triple lock. Based on current forecasts, the full rate of the new state pension is set to increase by £1,700 over the course of this Parliament.<\/p> <\/p> We are also providing support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating \u2013 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.<\/p> <\/p> The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.\u202f An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.<\/p> <\/p> The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-17T16:05:13.573Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Winter Fuel Payment: Maidstone and Malling"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to support people who will become ineligible for Winter Fuel Payment as a result of the planned introduction of means-testing in Maidstone and Malling constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Helen Grant"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Maidstone and Malling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Grant"}
], "uin" : "4981"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728521", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728521/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " In making its decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Government had regard to an equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements. The equality analysis was published on Friday 13th September, and can be found here: GOV.UK<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-18T15:55:35.32Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Winter Fuel Payment: Impact Assessments"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish an equality impact assessment for the means-testing of Winter Fuel Payment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mrs Helen Grant"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Maidstone and Malling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Helen Grant"}
], "uin" : "4982"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728523", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1728523/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "