NI winter fuel payments to be means tested, says Gordon Lyons

The Northern Ireland government has decided to implement means testing for winter fuel payments, aligning with a similar decision made by the UK government. Starting this autumn, pensioners who are not receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer qualify for these payments, which range from £100 to £300 annually. This change is expected to affect many older individuals, particularly those already living in poverty. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons expressed his opposition to this decision, highlighting the lack of additional resources in the budget to maintain universal entitlement. He noted that maintaining the current system would cost an estimated £44.3 million to the Block Grant for the winter of 2024/25. A letter from all Northern Ireland Ministers has been sent to the Prime Minister, urging reconsideration of this policy. The decision has drawn criticism from various political figures, including Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who described the decision as reluctant and not favored by the executive. SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan emphasized that the executive had the power to avoid this measure but chose not to, leading to potential suffering for thousands of pensioners. Concerns have been raised about the impact of this policy on vulnerable older people, with warnings that it could lead to increased poverty and even excess deaths among pensioners. The change in policy marks a significant shift in how winter fuel payments are administered in Northern Ireland, raising questions about the support available for those most in need during the colder months.