**Martin Lewis Calls on Keir Starmer to Urgently Reform Winter Fuel Payment System**
Martin Lewis, the well-known financial commentator and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has publicly urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address what he describes as two significant flaws in the Government’s approach to Winter Fuel Payments (WFP). Lewis’ comments come in the wake of a major policy shift, announced by the Labour leader in parliament, which pledges to adjust the means testing system so more pensioners will qualify for vital heating support this winter.
The Winter Fuel Payment, traditionally a universal benefit for those on the state pension, was controversially limited last year following changes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Previously, all pensioners received between £200 and £300 to help with rising energy costs. The revised policy restricted payments solely to those claiming Pension Credit, a benefit for low-income pensioners, which drastically reduced the number eligible for help.
Reacting to the Government’s latest announcement that thresholds for eligibility will be reassessed, Lewis highlighted two key problems that risk undermining the effectiveness of the scheme. Posting on social media, he said: “Very pleased to just hear the Prime Minister wants more state pensioners to get Winter Fuel Payments… but since day one, it’s been clear the means testing approach has two fundamental flaws.”
Lewis’ first concern lies in the income threshold currently used to determine eligibility. The bar is set at £11,800 per year—a figure which, he points out, is “an extremely low income given that typical residential energy bills now stand at around £1,800 annually”. As a result, many pensioners who still face serious financial pressures are being excluded from support.
Secondly, Lewis identifies the method of using Pension Credit as the qualifying gatekeeper as a major flaw. Pension Credit has long been recognised as underclaimed, with government statistics estimating up to 700,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on both the benefit and, as a consequence, the Winter Fuel Payment tied to it. This, Lewis argues, leaves a significant proportion of the most vulnerable—those with incomes below the threshold—without any additional help towards their heating costs.
He further noted the complexity of means testing for WFP, as the payment is assessed on a household, not an individual, basis. This can create confusion and potential gaps in provision, especially in multi-generational or shared households.
To address these issues, Lewis has suggested an alternative, albeit imperfect, solution for the short term. He recommends expanding future eligibility to include all pensioners who receive Pension Credit, as well as those living in properties rated in council tax bands A to C, who are typically on lower incomes. Introducing such measures, Lewis believes, could swiftly extend support to a greater number of pensioners in time for the coming winter.
In response to concerns about timelines and funding, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman clarified: “We obviously want to deliver this as quickly as possible, but the Prime Minister was very clear that this must be done in an affordable and fully funded way. That’s why final decisions will be made at a future fiscal event.”
The debate continues against a backdrop of broader questions surrounding government support for elderly and vulnerable citizens, as energy costs and inflation remain front-of-mind for millions of households across the UK. Critics say the original universal system was easier to understand and ensured broader coverage, while the shift to means testing has inadvertently penalised some of the poorest.
As policymakers work towards a solution ahead of the next budget announcement, campaigners and experts alike are urging the Government to learn from past missteps and prioritise simplicity and fairness in any new system. The pressure is now on to develop a scheme that genuinely helps those most in need—a task that could determine how many pensioners face a warmer, safer winter in the months ahead.