The petition was started by Yvonne Keegan, who calls for the benefit to be reinstated: “I know first hand the importance of Winter Fuel Payment – it’s a lifeline to pensioners during the harsh winter months. Their heating bills can skyrocket, and they end up struggling, trying desperately to keep themselves warm.
“Meanwhile, our politicians are living comfortably with expenses that would be considered extravagant by most standards. We believe that our politicians – who have a stable income, can afford to pay their heating bills and do not need taxpayer-funded expenses to support this aspect of their lifestyle.”
Once a petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the Government responds, and if 100,000 people sign, a debate in Parliament is considered.
This petition currently has 110,421 signatures. Signatures can still be added here.
How much do MPs get paid?
MPs’ basic salary rose 2.8% to £93,904 from April, after Parliament’s expenses watchdog linked it to wider proposals for the public sector.
They can also claim expenses including:
- Office expenses
- Office running costs
- Staffing costs
- Travel for staff
- Centrally purchased stationery
- Postage costs
- Central IT costs
- Communications allowance
They also receive allowances towards having somewhere to live in London and in their constituency, and travelling between Parliament and their constituency.
MPs can claim their utility bills, including gas, electricity, other fuel and water bills, on expenses at a single property, either in London or their constituency. This is only available to those who aren’t MPs in London, or don’t occupy ‘grace and favour’ accommodation in London.
There is no upper limit on how much MPs can claim back on heating and fuel costs.
Which pensioners will receive Winter Fuel payments after the changes?
The Government has said more pensioners will receive winter fuel payments, but payments will not be universal.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves told reporters that “more people will get winter fuel payment this winter”, adding that further details will be announced “as soon as we possibly can”.
She said: “People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter.”
My instant response to Winter Fuel Payment news & key message to the Chancellor (I heard while walking to the office, so pls forgive the fact it was done there and then for speed) pic.twitter.com/5t2kxwAkPj
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 4, 2025
Pensions minister Torsten Bell told MPs that, while more pensioners will be eligible, there is no prospect of returning to universal winter fuel payments.
Speaking to the Work and Pensions Committee, Mr Bell said: “Directly on your question of is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment, the answer is no, the principle I think most people, 95% of people, agree, that it’s not a good idea that we have a system paying a few hundreds of pounds to millionaires, and so we’re not going to be continuing with that.
“But we will be looking at making more pensioners eligible.”
(Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire) The decision to means-test the previously universal payment was one of the first announcements by Chancellor Rachel Reeves after Labour’s landslide election victory last year, and it has been widely blamed for the party’s collapse in support.
The Government has insisted the policy was necessary to help stabilise the public finances, allowing the improvements in the economic picture which Sir Keir said could result in the partial reversal of the measure.
Pension Credit is currently the primary benefit by which pensioners can receive the winter fuel payment.
The credit tops up incomes for poorer pensioners and acts as a gateway to additional support, including the winter fuel payment.
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What were the cuts to winter fuel payments, and who currently receives them?
On July 29 2024, the Government announced that from winter 2024, winter fuel payments would be dependent on receiving another means-tested benefit, as part of measures to fill a “black hole” in the public finances.
This meant the number of pensioners receiving the payment was reduced by around 10 million, from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.
Asked what groups who are currently missing out on winter fuel payments he would like to include again, if possible, Mr Bell told the committee: “We are committed to the principle that there should be some means-testing and that those on the highest incomes shouldn’t be receiving winter fuel payments in the context of wider decisions we have to make – and fairness is an important part of that.
“You can then take from that that my priority is those who are on lower incomes but have missed out.”
