Member

The Government have, however, listened to concerns about the level of the means test. We are acting to ensure that all lower-income pensioners receive support. The new individual £35,000 threshold is significantly above the income of pensioners in poverty, and broadly in line with average earnings. It will mean that the vast majority—over three-quarters, or 9 million pensioners—will benefit from a winter fuel payment. This change ensures that the means testing of winter fuel payments has no effect on pensioner poverty.