NI pensioners could have payments restored

Tens of thousands of pensioners in Northern Ireland could be in line to have their winter fuel payments restored after a government U-turn.

The payment to about 250,000 pensioners in Northern Ireland was cut last year in a cost-saving measure by the new Labour government.

But the government has now set a new threshold for payments.

This means the majority of pensioners will get the payment of £200, for those under 80, and £300 for those over 80.

The money will be paid for the incoming winter.

But those pensioners earning more than £35,000 will not qualify for the payment.

Many pensioners in Northern Ireland missed out on the winter fuel payment last year after Northern Ireland followed a Westminster decision to make the payments means tested.

The move, announced shortly after Labour took office last July, led to fierce criticism from unions and pensioner charities.

An extra £17m was found following a Stormont monitoring round and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons secured money to grant a £100 one-off payment to support pensioners who were affected by cuts to winter fuel support.

Winter Fuel Payments were created in 1997 to help everyone above state pension age with their winter heating bills.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced last year that winter 2024 would be the first time pensioners in England and Wales would not be eligible for the payment.

Northern Ireland was forced to follow suit.

Payments were then restricted to those on benefits and pension credit.