Octopus Energy has announced up to £200 in support for those who find paying bills an uphill battle this winter. People with low incomes could benefit, notably pensioners stripped of the Winter Fuel Payment by the recent government decision to restrict its distribution to those on Pension Credit and some other benefits.
The energy firm is urging those fretting over financial strains to step up for support. The Labour Government's move to axe the Winter Fuel Payment will affect roughly 10 million older people, including about 2.5 million from modest means.
Until the recent policy change, they had been entitled to up to £300 in financial support. Firms in the energy sector have pledged to help customers, while they continue to weather storms of disapproval over soaring energy tariffs, reports Birmingham Live.
Greg Jackson, Octopus founder, emphasised the duty energy firms have to support vulnerable members of society. His statement made it clear, saying: "At times like this, we can't expect the Government to do everything - companies need to work hard on affordability too. That's why we've expanded our Octo Assist fund to introduce extra support for the pensioners who need it most."
He went on to highlight a significant oversight among pensioners: "There's a lot of Government and other support for pensioners but many don't realise it - Government data shows one in three pensioners eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming, so we're training our team to help with this too."
Additionally, those who might be missing out on Winter Fuel Payments are urged to look into aid offered by local councils. Through the Household Support Fund, payments will be distributed to individuals facing difficulties covering the cost of necessities such as food and energy.
Residents are advised to visit their local council's website for more information. The government was criticised in the House of Commons for its decision to restrict access to the winter fuel payment on Monday, November 11.
Shadow work and pensions minister Danny Kruger attacked the decision. He said it would affect some of the poorest people in the country.
Work and pensions minister Emma Reynolds replied, saying: “We have published an equality analysis, which (Mr Kruger) can find on the Government’s website and due to the legislation we don’t have to produce an impact assessment, but it is an equality analysis. I urge him to have a look at that.
“And all I would say to him is that the new leader of the Opposition (Kemi Bandeoch) argued in 2022 that winter fuel payment should be means tested, so I wondered how he might go ahead and means test winter fuel payments if he had the chance?”
Mr Kruger replied: “She mentions the equality assessment. This was a high level equality assessment which was only dragged out of the Government in response to a Freedom of Information request. The fact is, they are avoiding accountability for this policy. They are avoiding scrutiny by this House.”
He added: “Their own figures predict that fully a third of eligible pensioners, that’s three-quarters of a million of the poorest people in the country, will not get pension credit and won’t get the winter fuel payment.
“That’s what they’re banking on, that is how they are making the savings that they predict from this policy by cutting benefits to some of the poorest people in our country.”
