Letter: British pensioners are among the poorest in Europe
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that pensioners with taxable incomes of £35,000 or less will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
In the year ending March 2022, pensioners in the UK paid £19.5 billion in income tax.
This tax was collected from pensioners whose total income - including State Pension, private pensions, and other taxable earnings - exceeded the £12,570 personal allowance threshold.
If say the £200 Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) were spread out over a full year, it would equate to approximately £3.85 per week (£200 divided by 52 weeks).
Shame it could not be added to the State Pension instead then there would have been no means testing.
Even with the Triple Lock system, which ensures the pension rises annually by the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%, the UK State Pension remains below the minimum wage and is one of the lowest in Europe.
For example, pensions in France, Spain, and Germany tend to be significantly higher. In contrast, pensioners in Luxembourg receive up to £5,426.93 per month, significantly more than in the UK.
As for the £10 Christmas Bonus has remained unchanged since it was introduced by Edward Heath's Conservative government in 1972.
If it had been adjusted for inflation, it would be worth around £165 today. Some estimates suggest it could be closer to £130.
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