Wes Streeting squirms as he’s grilled by BBC over winter fuel cuts as UK hit by cold snap
Wes Streeting said pensioners stripped of winter fuel payments should turn on the heating on during this weekend’s bitterly cold snap.
The Health Secretary was asked about warnings from Age UK as the Government faces an ongoing backlash for axing the allowance for most OAPs.
Mr Streeting told BBC Breakfast: “Well, this is definitely a weekend to turn the heating on, and I’ll 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 that 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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Health Secretary Wes Streeting on BBC this morning (Image: BBC BREAKFAST)
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has cold weather health alerts for all of England which remain in place ahead of a week of low temperatures.
Amber alerts were issued on Thursday and will run until January 8, meaning a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, is likely, the UKHSA said.
Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the Government’s decision to restrict the winter fuel allowance to only OAPs on pension credit will be put “into sharp relief” by the plunging temepratures.
Ms Abrahams said: “We urge older people to do everything they can to stay warm, even if that means risking spending more on their heating than they feel they can afford.
“The energy companies are under an obligation to help if you are struggling and there may be support available from your local council too.”
Around 10 million pensioners have lost winter fuel payments this year under the controversial change announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget.
The Government has blamed a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they deny.
