Surge in searches for Winter Fuel payments across the South West
Fears about changes to Winter Fuel Payments has sparked a surge in people looking for help
Last updated 4th Sep 2024
New figures reveal online searches for advice and support across the South West for paying bills has spiked by more than 100 per cent - following planned changes to the Winter Fuel Payment.
The payment was previously available to almost everyone in the UK born before 25th September 1957 to help them cover heating costs.
But from this winter only those on pension credit or means-tested benefits will get the payment.
The data was collated by Mobile Annexe LTD, who say the rise in searches is 'incredibly worrying'.
Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Cornwall all have seen a more than 200% rise, according to the data.
The research by Mobile Annexe LTD. reveals the terms were only searched an average of around a quarter-of-a-million times a month, but now it’s skyrocketed to almost 1.5 million.
The stats of people searching for the Winter Fuel Payment per month on Google here in the South West
- Devon: 10,660 before the announcement of the planned changes, and 41,370 after (+288%)
- Somerset: 7,390 before the announcement of the planned changes, and 23,380 after (+216%)
- Cornwall: 5,910 before the announcement of the planned changes, and 17,880 after (+203%)
- Wiltshire: 6,080 before the announcement of the planned changes, and 17,240 after (+184%)
- Gloucestershire: 5,540 before the announcement of the planned changes, and 14,870 after (+168%)
- Bristol: 5,900 before the announcement of the planned changes, and 14,800 after (+151%)
Gary Clayden-Smith, from Mobile Annexe LTD. who conducted the research, said the rise is “incredibly worrying.”
It's as the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have faced criticism from opponents, campaigners and some of their own MPs over the decision to means test winter fuel payments, worth up to ÂŁ300.
He said: “Not only are people facing a cost-of-living crisis, with prices continuing to rise across all avenues of life, but older people, arguably the most vulnerable people in our society, are seeing a hit to their support.
“Millions of people across the country will now have to make the difficult decision between heating their home or saving their money to spend on other necessities.
“I strongly urge friends and family to check in on their older relatives and neighbours, offer to help them find ways to save money, go through budgeting with them, and try and heat-proof their home’s – just please don’t leave anybody to struggle with this alone.”
A Government spokesperson said: "We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. That's why, through our commitment to protect the triple lock, over 12 million pensioners could see their state pension increase by almost a thousand pounds over the next five years.
"But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it's right that we target support to those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy. Over a million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment and eligible pensioners will also be able to benefit from the Ă‚ÂŁ150 warm home discount scheme from October to help with their energy bills over winter.
"We are urging pensioners to come forward and check their eligibility for pension credit to ensure as many people in need as possible have access to this support."
As part of the Government's pensions review, it will explore options to expand on the success of automatic enrolment into workplace pensions to help ensure future pensioners have security in retirement.