Back in the news this week, and reported in the Telegraph, is the topic of means-testing winter fuel payments; a timely re-appearance considering the cold weather dip that is forecast to start this weekend.
In the winter of 2011/12 19,500 deaths in the over 75 age group were directly caused by these pensioners being unable to afford to keep themselves warm enough. The problem is not new; similar figures apply to previous winters. Currently under debate is the thought voiced by Mr Burstow, the former care services minister, that money saved through paying WFP only to those eligible for pension credit would make it possible to pay for a cap on care costs for the elderly. Would this, however, mean more of our elderly who are ‘neither rich not poor’ moving into the fuel poverty category with its’ potential health hazards?
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