“The decision to reverse plans to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment is welcome — but it falls short of what older people need. Nothing less than a full return to universal entitlement is acceptable. Only a universal approach ensures that all vulnerable older people receive the support they need.
“Older people now urgently need clarity. They need to know what to expect and be able to plan ahead for winter. Waiting until the Autumn Statement is simply too late.
“The initial announcement caused widespread anxiety and distress among older people in Northern Ireland. Many who fall just above the threshold for Pension Credit endured a cold and difficult winter, and there remains a large number who are not in the system at all but are still in real need. Even with a revised threshold, they would miss out.
“It wasn’t just the financial blow — it was the message it sent. People felt pushed aside, as though they were being excluded from a system they had contributed to throughout their working lives.
“Means-testing would have punished some of the most vulnerable. It risks overlooking older people who are proud, private, or unsure how to navigate the system. These are exactly the individuals who would suffer most in the cold.
“Fuel poverty in Northern Ireland remains severe. Past estimates suggested that one in four older households live in fuel poverty — and that figure is likely even higher today due to soaring energy prices. The Winter Fuel Payment is a lifeline. Undermining it would have pushed many into crisis.
“I acknowledge the important steps taken by the Minister for Communities in Northern Ireland to provide additional support this winter. But the sudden and poorly communicated move by Westminster caused real harm. It cannot happen again.
“I hope this is a turning point — a lesson to all political leaders. Older people must never be treated as an afterthought. Policy decisions must be grounded in dignity, fairness, and a commitment to protecting our most vulnerable.
“I call on the Prime Minister to make a clear and immediate statement reaffirming his government's commitment to keeping older people warm and safe.”
