Defend the Winter Fuel Payment

Victory – government backtracks on winter fuel payments

After a year-long campaign by Unite, the government has finally announced a reversal of the cuts to winter fuel.

From this winter, pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with an income of £35,000 or less will receive a winter fuel payment. That's well over three quarters of all pensioners. This change would not have come without the campaigning efforts of Unite’s members, who mobilised for the Labour party conference and defeated the Labour leadership in a vote, rallied in their hundreds at parliament, and launched unprecedented legal action. 

Responding to the government decision to largely reverse the cut in winter fuel payments, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Common sense has finally prevailed as the winter fuel cut is reversed for most pensioners. Whilst this is an important step forward, questions will be asked about how this disastrous decision was made in the first place, the damage may not easily be reversed. “Leadership is about choices and the choice to pit workers against pensioners was simply wrong.

“Instead of what seems to be a never-ending cycle of cuts, Labour needs to revisit the fiscal rules and bite the bullet on a wealth tax. Britain is the sixth richest economy in the world, the idea that we would be picking the pockets of our pensioners was unnecessary and unforgivable.”

U-turn: what we know so far

• Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit. It will be up to the devolved administration in Scotland to decide whether to follow Northern Ireland and match the scheme. The Scottish government will receive more funding from the UK government to make this possible. Unite will press the Scottish government to extend the policy to Scottish pensioners, alongside the Scottish Pensioners Forum.
• All pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive the winter fuel payment automatically, unless they decide to opt out.
• The payment will be worth £300 to households with a pensioner aged 80 or over. It will be worth £200 to all other pensioner households.
• Pensioners with an income higher than £35,000 per year will be made to pay back their share. This will be done automatically through the tax system, via PAYE or self-assessment tax returns.
• The £35,000 threshold applies to individuals, not households. This means that the winter fuel payment is split between a couple; if only one partner has an income over £35,000 then only their share will be clawed back. 

Last updated 11 June 2025

How Unite secured the U-turn

July 2024: Campaign launched in response to cuts announcement

As UK chancellor Rachel Reeves announces cuts to the winter fuel allowance, Unite's National Retired Members Committee resolves to fight the decision.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham vows to use Unite's political fund to defend retired members from this attack.

September 2024: Labour Party conference defeat for government

Rebellion at Labour party conference. Unite wins motion calling for wealth tax and reinstatement of winter fuel payments.  

It is clear that Unite is now spearheading the demand to reinstate the winter fuel payment. We are glad to see a Labour government and we want to see another one in five years’ time, but make no apology for holding Labour’s feet to the fire, because unless Labour makes the right choices, there won’t be a second Labour government. People need to see their lives improve. Taking money off pensioners while the 50 richest families in Britain own a combined £500 billion, doesn’t do that.  That is why Unite is holding Labour to account over winter fuel.

Demands for a wealth tax and return of winter fuel leads news bulletins for three days.

October 2024: Mass lobby of Parliament

Unite and the National Pensioners Convention hold mass rally at Westminster with 500 pensioners attending. Demonstrations are also held at Stormont, Holyrood and in towns and cities across the UK as part of a national day of action, led by Unite retired members and Unite Community.

November 2024: Legal action against government

Unite launches unprecedented legal action against the government, significantly escalating the campaign. The decision to advance the claim to the High Court was made after the government made an unsatisfactory response to the union - more: Winter Fuel: Unite applies to High Court for Judicial Review

December 2024: wins for campaign in Scotland and Ireland

Devolved governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland announce payments worth at least £100 to all pensioner households who lost the winter fuel payment.  This came after grassroots campaigning by Unite, Scottish Pensioners Forum and National Pensioners Convention in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

January 2025: Impact of cuts are revealed

Unite publishes first ever survey assessing impact of winter fuel cuts: Pensioners missing meals due to winter fuel allowance cut 

February 2025: Protests continue

Demonstrations in Cardiff, Belfast and Doncaster keep the pressure on. Belfast retired members hand in thousands of consultation responses to minister.

June 2025: U-turn announced

At the same time as Unite and the National Pensioners Convention are protesting outside Downing Street, Rachel Reeves announces a reversal of the cuts to winter fuel payments.

“Common sense has finally prevailed as the winter fuel cut is reversed for most pensioners. Whilst this is an important step forward, questions will be asked about how this disastrous decision was made in the first place, the damage may not easily be reversed." said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

READ: Unite welcomes winter fuel U-turn for most pensioners but warns the damage may not easily be reversed

Restore winter fuel payments - download the Unite we need a wealth tax flyer

Unite protests in Westminster as union survey shows elderly suffering from government policy

“Instead of picking the pocket of pensioners, the government should be looking at a wealth tax that targets the very richest in society.” - Unite's Sharon Graham 

New Unite the union research shows 67% of pensioners have reduced their heating, and 63% felt the cold more often as a result of the Labour party's cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment. A third are taking fewer baths or showers and 16 per cent have cut back on hot meals due to the increased costs of trying to stay warm. The survey results coincide with protests organised by Unite in Westminster with a banner drop from Westminster Bridge calling on the government to reverse the Winter Fuel Allowance cuts and ensure our most vulnerable pensioners are safe and warm this winter.

Tax the Rich to Pay for Winter Fuel | Sign today

The UK this winter: 

❄️ Working class pensioners freezing | 🚑 Hospitals overwhelmed 
💰 Billionaires dodging tax  | ⏰ Time to do something about it? 

Hear Juliet's story. Save the #WinterFuelPayment

Make politicians listen! 📢 Sign our petition. 

A Christmas and New Year message from Unite

Winter is Coming

"So before winter gets here, stand proud and be ready to fight. A workers' economy for all, led by our trade union - Unite."

When pensioners are under attack, Unite fights back!
Video by harper.film

Thanks for joining the rally at Holyrood – bring back our Winter Fuel Payment

First Minister told: Scots pensioners need more than warm words

WHERE: Holyrood, The Scottish parliament, on Tuesday 3 December hundreds united to demand the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Payment. Watch a video of the event.

• What are we protesting? The Scottish government has the power to reinstate the winter fuel payment for Scottish pensioners. It has condemned the cuts by the UK government but so far has not used its powers to protect pensioners in Scotland. 
• What are we calling for? We are calling for the Scottish government to use its powers to reinstate the winter fuel payment for all Scots pensioners, from this winter onwards. The government must step in now to protect Scots pensioners from hardship or worse this winter.
• Why now? The Northern Irish government has just announced an extra £17 million in funding for pensioners to cushion the blow of the cuts to winter fuel. The Scottish government will be publishing its draft budget on Wednesday 4 December – pensioners need to see concrete commitments in that budget.
• Why is Unite leading this rally? Unite the union is the UK & Ireland’s leading union, representing people in retirement as well as in work. It has 20,000 retired members in Scotland alone. 

Winter Fuel: Unite takes next step in High Court for Judicial Review

Unite has taken the next step in seeking a Judicial Review to overturn the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners. On 22 November the union made a formal application to the High Court for leave to go forward with a full Judicial Review of the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments. The decision to advance the claim to the High Court was made after the government made an unsatisfactory response to the union’s pre-action protocol letter concerning its decision, which included the refusal to reverse the decision. Watchthe video update and read the full press release - Winter Fuel: Unite applies to High Court for Judicial Review. 

A win, but the campaign goes on

The announcement from the Scottish government about universal payments from next year are a step forwards, but do not go as far as Unite would have liked. No significant extra funding has been announced for Scottish pensioners for this winter – and Unite will continue pressing for funds as Scottish pensioners urgently need help now, they can’t wait for next year. This announcement, like the £17 million in Northern Ireland, while welcome - and not enough - has only come thanks to determined campaigning by Unite members, so make sure you join the rally outside Holyrood on 3 December to demand protections for pensioners this winter. 

Tax the Rich to Pay for Winter Fuel | Sign today

The budget – a missed opportunity

October’s budget was a missed opportunity for the government to make up for the damage it has done through cuts to the winter fuel allowance. Pensioners will suffer this winter as a result, and the government is promising no extra funding to alleviate this. Moreover, the chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that personal tax thresholds will remain frozen until 2028, meaning more pensioners on low incomes will be dragged into paying tax – a stealth tax that hits ordinary people the hardest. At the same time as ordinary pensioners are experiencing cuts and stealth taxes, the super-rich have been asked to contribute very little extra. This is not the change that the public was promised.

Councillors | Take action to defend the Winter Fuel Payment

The impact of cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment will put even more pressure on local authority services which are already cut to the bone after 14 years of austerity. 

Unite has published a model motion which we are encouraging councillors from across the political spectrum to submit. This calls on council leaders to write to local MPs and the chancellor Rachel Reeves to demand an immediate reverse of this disastrous policy. 

Download the model motion and guidance for councillors (PDF). 

Thanks for joining the rally at parliament

Unite joined forces with the National Pensioners Convention and Scottish Pensioners Forum for a mass lobby of Parliament on Monday 7 October. Unite members and activists from other community groups rallied near Parliament Square and were addressed by the general secretary, Sharon Graham, as well as John Trickett MP and other keynote speakers. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The government’s winter fuel policy needs to be reversed. Picking the pockets of pensioners is not a tough choice - it is a mistake. There is no reason why we have to choose between paying workers and keeping pensioners warm.”  The rally was followed by a meeting with MPs inside parliament. 

Photostream | The Defend Winter Fuel demo descends on parliament - click to scroll through

The message was loud and clear to the government yesterday, it  must fully reinstate the Winter Fuel Allowance with immediate effect. The Defend the Winter Fuel Campaign by Unite held a mass lobby of parliament on Monday 7 October where over 500 activists demonstrated outside parliament and let the politicians in Westminster know they will be held to account over the Winter Fuel policy. Unite activists are furious and demand that this policy needs to be reversed. Picking the pockets of pensioners is not a tough choice - it is a mistake. The government has underestimated pensioners, and the campaign won’t stop until there’s a full reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Allowance for all. 

Unite’s Sharon Graham wins vote on winter fuel – in defiance of Labour leadership

Despite repeated attempts to silence Unite, our motion to Labour conference demanding a reversal of the winter fuel cuts, a wealth tax and an end to the fiscal rules was passed.

A wealth tax and a winter fuel allowance | Sharon Graham successfully moves the motion to keep the Winter Fuel payment at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, 25 September 2024

Unite is leading the charge on winter fuel

The Unite campaign for a wealth tax to pay for the winter fuel allowance has been leading the news:

• Unions win non-binding vote on winter fuel cuts - BBC News – 25 September 2024
• Labour leadership loses vote on winter fuel payments - The Guardian - 25 September 2024
• Protest outside Labour party conference against cuts to winter fuel allowance - ITV News - 23 September 2024
• Old and cold in the countryside - our retired rural members are missing their winter fuel payments UniteLive article - 16 May 2025

It is clear that Unite is now spearheading the demand to reinstate the winter fuel payment.

We are glad to see a Labour government and we want to see another one in five years’ time.

But we make no apology for holding Labour’s feet to the fire, because unless Labour makes the right choices, there won’t be a second Labour government. People need to see their lives improve. Taking money off pensioners on as little as £220 a week, while the 50 richest families in Britain own a combined £500 billion, doesn’t do that.  That is why Unite is holding Labour to account over winter fuel.

A 1 per cent wealth tax on the richest in society who have over £4 million in assets would raise £25 billion. That sum dwarves the £1.5 billion Labour hopes to raise by picking the pockets of pensioners, and it wouldn’t leave ordinary people afraid to turn their heating on.

It is not too late for the Labour government to reverse its decision on winter fuel. We will continue pressing until it does so.

Winter Fuel campaign | Check archived Unite updates

Join Unite's campaign today

The Labour government’s plan to slash entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment have shocked millions of UK pensioners.

In response, Unite has launched a national campaign to defend the Winter Fuel Payment. If enough of us take action, we can change the government’s plans and help all our pensioners keep warm this winter.

Here’s how you can join our campaign:

• Join Unite's campaign here and ask your friends and family to sign up too
• Labour members – ask your local party to back our campaign. See below for help on how you can do this
• Check if you, and your retired friends and family, can get pension credit so you don’t miss out. See below for guidance  
• Click the boxes below to download Unite's ‘Defend the Winter Fuel Payment’ poster and ‘We Did Not Vote For This’ leaflet to print or share online

Sign up to our campaign and ask your friends and family to sign up too.

Why is this the wrong decision?

10 million pensioners will lose up to £300 a year. This is equivalent to losing more than a week’s pension income, and the cuts come just as Ofgem has announced the energy price cap will increase by £149 this winter. A double-blow for millions.

Pensioners on as little as £220 a week will miss out on this vital lifeline.  Those living on their own will suffer especially badly, as they must heat their homes on a single income.  Equally those who are renting, paying off their mortgage, or living in cold, damp homes will be facing difficult choices this winter.

Age UK estimates one million pensioners who are less than £50 above the poverty line will lose out on Winter Fuel Payments.

Austerity policies like this aren’t the answer, and pensioners shouldn’t be made to pay the price for government mistakes. There is plenty of wealth in our society which the government could tax. The 50 richest families in Britain own a combined £500 billion in wealth - the same as half the UK population. A wealth tax on the richest 1% could raise £25 billion.

Some people have pointed that rich pensioners get the Winter Fuel Payment too. But a universal payment to all pensioners – just like the state pension itself – ensures nobody falls through the gaps.  

Linking Winter Fuel Payment to pension credit means millions who need this extra help will miss out. Over 850,000 pensioners who qualify for pension credit are not receiving it. They already miss out on an average of £2,677 a year pension credit, and now they’ll also lose up to £300 more.

The proposed cuts to Winter Fuel Payments will only save about £1.4 billion a year. But if all the pensioners who are entitled to pension credit are prompted to apply for it as a result, the total cost of paying out this unclaimed money would cost the government £2.2 billion a year – so it might save nothing at all.

If you agree with us that these cuts are unjust and ineffective, join our campaign to get it stopped.

Labour members – demand action from your party

Many Labour members have contacted us to say they disagree with cutting Winter Fuel Payment. Labour MPs like Rachael Maskell have publicly opposed the cut, and many others have voiced their concerns.

It’s time to make sure all our elected MPs speak up for pensioners.

If you’re a Labour member, you can ask your Constituency Labour Party (CLP) to pass a motion condemning the cuts and asking the chancellor to reverse the decision. We’ve written a model motion you can present to your CLP, and guidance on how you can do this.

You can download these below or fill in your details here to let us know you’ll be submitting a motion.