Labour slammed for snatching winter gasoline from 44,000 terminally unwell Britons | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Campaigners have slammed the Government for stripping 44,000 terminally unwell pensioners presumably going through “their last Christmas” of the winter gasoline cost.

The stark figures, uncovered by end-of-life charity Marie Curie, have reignited calls for for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to revive the as much as £300 funds snatched from tens of millions of pensioners.

Dr Sam Royston, government director for coverage and analysis at Marie Curie, stated: “For people who claim benefits under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, this may very well be their last winter and Christmas.

“We know that energy costs can increase dramatically after a terminal diagnosis, yet the decision to restrict the winter fuel payment only to people receiving means-tested benefits takes no account of this.

“The festive season is meant to be one of warmth, joy, and celebration. No one should have to face their final days worrying about money or whether they can afford to heat their home or even switch on Christmas lights.

“The government should urgently rethink this decision, and take further steps to support people at the end of life with energy costs, including by introducing a social tariff.”

The statistics have been obtained by a Freedom for Information request which requested for the variety of folks claiming a number of advantages underneath the federal government’s Special Rules for Terminal Illness, in opposition to these not in receipt of Pension Credit.

Ms Reeves introduced earlier this 12 months that the money could be restricted to all however the poorest pensioners – these eligible for pension credit score.

Marie Curie estimated that power prices can double for dying folks due to the necessity to consistently warmth houses to offer reduction from ache and to function life-sustaining medical units.

This follows a latest report by the charity which reveals the variety of folks dying in gasoline poverty is 128,000 every year – a couple of in 5 of all individuals who die.

Helen van Bueren, 77, from Derbyshire is a kind of who has misplaced her Winter Fuel Payment.

The Derbyshire native has been identified with a number of myeloma, a most cancers which impacts the plasma cells within the bone marrow

She stated: “When the cold starts to creep in, my feet turn white, go numb and stop working completely. I can’t feel anything. I fumble, I drop things and there are walking sticks scattered all over the house in case I fall.

“The cold is crippling. It seeps into your bones and sits there. It consumes you. With each year that passes, I feel myself fading a little more. I’m just over the limit for pension credit so I won’t get my winter fuel allowance anymore and I do wonder if I will see the other side of this winter.”

The Daily Express has demanded that Labour reverses its choice to strip pensioners of the winter gasoline cost.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately stated: “This warning is yet more evidence that it is the most vulnerable who will suffer as a result of Labour’s political choice to cut the Winter Fuel Payment and plunge 100,000 pensioners into poverty.

“As the grim outcome of Labour’s decisions become clearer, we will continue to hold them to account for failing to support those who need it most.”

Esther McVey MP stated: “These figures are deeply shocking and thoroughly disturbing. For Labour to continue with this policy, knowing terminally ill pensioners will suffer, reveals the callousness of this government. Surely they cannot pursue this policy knowing the suffering it will cause the most vulnerable.”

Morgan Vine, director of coverage and influencing at Independent Age stated: “Marie Curie’s findings reiterate that the UK Government’s changes to who receives the winter fuel payment will have a very negative impact on a number of different groups of older people living on a low income, including those with long term conditions and disabilities who are more likely to experience poverty in later life.

“It is clear that pension credit is not the right way to target winter fuel payment, as its low uptake will leave many different groups in financial hardship. That’s why we are calling on the UK Government to not make this policy change now. It is clear that this is too far, too fast.”

A Government spokesman said: “No one should suffer financial hardship because of a health condition – that’s why special rules are in place to ensure those nearing the end of their life get faster, easier access to certain benefits, in most cases at the highest rate.
“We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament. Over a million pensioners will still receive a Winter Fuel Payment, and many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments this winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”