Northern Ireland

GPs warn thousands of NI pensioners will be at risk over cuts to winter fuel payment

The Royal College of GPs Northern Ireland has said they expect more older people will develop chest and respiratory infections this winter.

Ofgem’s announcement of a 10% rise in the energy price cap has brought calls for the Government to rethink plans to restrict the winter fuel allowance to only the poorest pensioners.
The Stormont Executive has reluctantly backed changes to the Winter Fuel Payment, meaning it will only be applied to older people entitled to Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. (Peter Byrne/PA)
By Allan Preston

THE health of thousands of pensioners in Northern Ireland is being risked by changes to winter fuel payments, GPs have warned.

It follows a decision by the Labour government in July, that the annual payments of between £100 and £300 would be restricted to those receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.

The change will apply to Northern Ireland under the principle of parity, which means that most social security benefits are paid at the same rate across the UK.

While the Executive has backed the move, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons called the lack of consultation from the UK government “extremely disappointing”.

He added that Stormont would have to spend at least £44m from the block grant to maintain universal entitlement, but this would mean significant cuts to other public services.

The Executive has since written to the prime minister urging him to reverse the decision, although the first and deputy first ministers have yet to publicly comment on the matter.

The Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland has now said that thousands of pensioners risk illness from cold and damp conditions.

Dr Ursula Mason, chair of RCGPNI, said it would have “far reaching consequences” on some of the most vulnerable in society.

“With thousands expected to lose out on their winter fuel payments this year, we expect to see a rise in older people developing chest infections and other respiratory conditions in our practices this winter and that is before we count the cost to mental health as people struggle in more difficult financial circumstances,” she said.

She advised older patients to keep warm and have the best nutrition they can.

“The loss of the winter fuel payments will mean more will have to choose between keeping warm or eating.”

Earlier, Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Older People Eddie Lynch called the decision “disgraceful”.

He said the sudden announcement a month ago was not in Labour’s manifesto and “caught us all on the hop”.

“It’s something that is being introduced very quickly and it is a disgraceful decision that is going to have real-life consequences for thousands of older people across Northern Ireland who really rely on the winter fuel payment.

“This is not something they can take it or leave it. It’s something they rely on to get through the winter months.

“For this announcement to be made, literally a couple of months before people are due to receive this payment is disgraceful.

“It’s really the government targeting some of the most vulnerable in society.”