Winter Fuel Payments: opposition mounts

In an age of austerity, handing out Winter Fuel Allowance payments to wealthy over-60s is beginning to look increasingly indefensible

There are some 2 million over-60s in the UK who have assets of over £1 million. Should they receive a handout of £200 or more each year to help with their fuels costs?

The answer seems pretty obvious, really. A number of members of government have now spoken out against this anomalous generosity.

In the light of this, IF’s Angus Hanton was invited to speak on the subject by the BBC’s business correspondent Jonty Bloom, for a slot entitled “Should wealthy pensioners get benefits?”, broadcast on the World at One (BBC Radio 4) on 22 November.

You can hear how he puts the case – along with others – in a 4-minute extract here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20447249