Latest news with #WinterFuel
New Statesman
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Statesman
Ed Miliband keeps winning
Photo byIt's been a cheery couple of weeks for Ed Miliband. Despite a raft of negative briefings in the weeks prior to the spending review, Miliband's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero ended up being one of Rachel Reeves' biggest winners. Alongside the cancellation of a previously trailed cut to the Warm Homes Plan, DESNZ received a 16 per cent increase in spending power (more than any other department). And now, following a period of internal wrangling with the Number 10 and the Treasury, the former Labour leader has announced the extension of the Warm Homes Discount, a policy which offers a £150 energy bills discount to those on low incomes. Insiders tell me it is something the Energy Secretary has been working on behind the scenes for months. Energy bills – and the government's pledge to cut them by £300 before the end of the parliament – will be a key metric of Labour's success at the next election. Frustration over the slow pace of reduction, alongside fury over the Winter Fuel Payment, were big issues on the doorstep during the locals (it wasn't a good night for Labour). In the wake of voting, one insider close to Miliband pointed to the Warm Homes Discount – which was first introduced in 2011 – and questioned why the government did not make more of it following the decision to cut Winter Fuel. It is, after all, a means-tested benefit intended to support not just elderly people, but millions of households on low incomes to reduce their energy bills. The extension announced on Thursday will see a further 2.7 million households eligible to receive this benefit; over 6 million households will now be able to access the discount. It will be paid for via a deal which the government has struck with the energy regulator, Ofgem. Currently, energy bills include the socialised costs of energy companies' unpaid debts, the government has done a deal to reduce the overall debt burden on energy companies. This accompanies the recent cut to the Energy Price Cap, which comes into effect in July, meaning a double whammy of energy bill reductions. All of this suggests that despite speculation that Keir Starmer might be about to make an about-turn on support for net zero, the Prime Minister is firmly staying put. Not only has Miliband's funding been bolstered, but his department has been responsible for some of the government's most recent positive news: 100,000 new jobs at Sizewell C, solar panels for newbuild homes, schools, and hospitals, and now the extension of the Warm Homes Discount. And Starmer has made clear that, in directly taking on Nigel Farage, he won't look to ape the Reform UK's net zero scepticism but will seek to prove how the green transition can help low-income, marginalised communities, as well as slashing the UK's carbon emissions. That Starmer is staying close to Miliband is unsurprising. The PM has, after all, always been environmentally minded (he is a pescatarian, did you know?). Perhaps his most famous case as a human rights lawyer was representing two Greenpeace Activists against McDonalds in the 1997 McLibel trial. Starmer, who's former Kentish Town home is a short walk from Miliband's ends in Dartmouth Park, was also encouraged to run to be an MP in 2015 by his predecessor as Labour leader. The pair have a shared political history; it's easy to speculate that Starmer feels some loyalty there. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Connections aside, it's clear Starmer sees the electoral benefit of his Energy Secretary's clean power drive, particularly after the disastrous Winter Fuel Payment saga and the government's subsequent U-turn. Reducing the UK's reliance on imported natural gas and other fossil fuels will lead to lower energy bills; a result on which Starmer's premiership will be heavily judged (and to some extent, already is). And in this new turbulent international climate – the arguments for energy security remain; Miliband was the first to make them. After months of underestimation from his detractors, the Energy Secretary and his agenda are safe, for the time being. It all now rests on the success of his delivery. Related
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
DAN HODGES: Rachel Reeves has opted to spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave in the Chagos Islands. It's now a matter of 'when' not 'if' she comes back to pick our pockets with tax rises
Earlier in the week, as the full extent of her humiliating climb-down over Winter Fuel became apparent, Rachel Reeves was asked if she was simply 'cosplaying at being an Iron Chancellor'. After the statement she has just delivered to unveil the Government's Spending Review, it appears she is actually cosplaying at being the new Liz Truss.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spending review now settled, says Downing Street
The government's latest spending plans are settled, the prime minister's official spokesman has said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to expected to announce funding increases for the NHS, schools and defence, along with a number of infrastructure projects, when she sets out her day-to-say spending and investment plans for each department in Wednesday's Spending Review. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was the last to fix a deal on Monday afternoon, following public warnings from police chiefs, calling for more money. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner reached a deal with Reeves and the Treasury on Sunday evening. Reeves has loosened Treasury borrowing rules to free up about £113bn for investment in infrastructure projects, but will need to squeeze budgets elsewhere in order meet her own rules, which include not borrowing to fund day-to-day spending. Last week, she admitted that she had been forced to turn down requests for funding for projects she would have wanted to back. Ministers seeking to protect their budgets remained locked in budget talks over the weekend. Announcing ministerial negotiations over the government's spending review had been completed, the prime minister's official spokesman said the chancellor would be investing in public services and growth. "The spending review is settled - we will be focused on investing in Britain's renewal so that all working people are better off," he said. "The first job of the government was to stabilise the British economy and the public finances, and now we move into a new chapter to deliver the promise and change." The Home Office had argued privately that police numbers must be maintained for the government to deliver its policy commitments on neighbourhood policing, but that under the spending proposals this would not be possible. Police chiefs including Sir Mark Rowley, the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, had publicly lobbyied the government for more money in recent weeks, and there were suggestions the Treasury might have "imposed" a settlement on the Home Office. Over the weekend, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the chancellor was facing pressure from all departments for additional funding. Kyle said "every part of society was struggling" and declined to rule out a squeeze on policing. The last-minute talks with Cooper come ahead of what is set to be a highly significant week for every part of government. Reeves has already U-turned on removing Winter Fuel payments from all but the poorest pensioners, and will now give these 75% of pensioners, which will cost an estimated £1.25bn. The government has also pledged to hike defence spending, invest £86bn in science and technology, and give free school meals to half a million more children. To balance the spending, Reeves has announced a £14bn package of savings in March, including £4.8bn of welfare cuts. However, opponents have accused the government of having the wrong priorities. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "They have chosen to prioritise spending on Ed Miliband's mad green projects, on inflation-busting pay rises for their trade union paymasters and spending £100bn a year – five times the police budget – on debt interest payments." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the chancellor to rule out cuts to social care, which is financed through local councils. He said the government would have "more money in the pot, more growth, more revenue" if it pursued closer trading ties with Europe. Home secretary yet to agree deal days before spending review Spending Review: Massive cheques from the chancellor for some - but what do totals hide? Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mirror
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Martin Lewis shares 'key message' after major Winter Fuel Payment U-turn update
Martin Lewis shares a "key message" after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed yesterday that Winter Fuel Payments will be extended to more pensioners this winter. Speaking at an event in Rochdale, Greater Manchester yesterday, Reeves told reporters that "more people will get Winter Fuel Payment this winter", adding that further details will be announced "as soon as we possibly can". She said: "People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get Winter Fuel Payment this winter." The Money Saving Expert (MSE) website founder took to social media after the news broke, and posted a video with his "instant" response. He opened by saying he was "delighted" by the news, adding that the government was set to increase the level of means-test for the up to £300 winter support payment. He then said it was worth "explaining" the two issues he had always had with the way that the Winter Fuel Payment means-test had been put in place. He explained: "The first one is the level. Currently, for a single pensioner, only those earning under £11,800 a year get the £200 or £300 winter fuel help. Now with energy bills still high and other energy bill help being taken away, that really was a big hit to the pensioners who were just above that limit. "I'm hoping to see this limit increase from the current £11,800 up to £20,000 or more. Perhaps they might only do it and link it to higher-rate taxpayers. Martin then said the other question - which was one of the "main reasons" he wanted to publish a video response - was about the "method of means-testing." He added: "The means test that they linked Winter Fuel payment to was Pension Credit. Now, Pension Credit has long been a flawed benefit which has been critically underclaimed, and even now, after all the communication over Winter Fuel, there are still 700,000 eligible pensioners who should get Pension Credit and thus winter fuel payments who don't because they don't claim. "Often, it will be vulnerable people with onset dementia or people who just can't go through the complicated process, especially on forms, or the message hasn't been passed on to them as it's quite difficult to explain the level of income that you need to get it. "So let's just put that into perspective, 700,000 people who have a total income of under £11,800 a year are missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment, even though that's the level the government says they should get it. From universal credit to furlough, employment rights, travel updates and emergency financial aid - we've got all of the big financial stories you need to know about right now. Sign up to our Mirror Money newsletter here. "So my big message to the Chancellor is, don't just increase the threshold. You have to look at the means test mechanism to make sure that the most vulnerable pensioners in this country, if they have income below your threshold, actually get the Winter Fuel Payment. And my fingers are crossed they'll be listening." Last year, the Labour government means-tested the Winter Fuel Payment. This meant that only certain pensioners over the age of 66 would receive the money, rather than all pensioners. The move saw over nine million pensioners in the UK lose the extra cash last winter. Labour faced severe backlash at the time, which has continued to follow them. Legal challenges have been raised against the government for the move, with charities warning that it would push more older Brits into poverty. The axing of the benefit was also linked to the rise in Reform Councillors in the recent elections. The Chancellor said public finances are in a stronger position than they were last July - meaning thresholds can be raised. Reeves added that ministers had listened to concerns about the controversial decision.
North Wales Chronicle
28-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
What is Pick My Postcode? Martin Lewis explains free lottery
Pick My Postcode, which used to be called Free Postcode Lottery, allows people to win money for free, as long as their postcode is drawn. On its website, the lottery organisers said: 'We believe everyone should have the chance to win something for free. At Pick My Postcode all you need is a postcode and a minute each day to check if you've won.' With 42,033 prizes given out in the UK so far, you might be wondering how you could be one of them. A post shared by (@realpickmypostcode) From why the lottery is free to take part in to how to claim your prize, here's what we know about Pick My Postcode. Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert (MSE) website explains: 'Pick My Postcode is a fun competition that's been running daily since 2011. 'It has several completely free draws each day – some you can win £5 to £100, while the main daily jackpot draw is currently £200, which will roll over if it isn't claimed. It sounds too good to be true, but it's legit. 'So far, over £3 million has been won, with almost a third of that going to MoneySavingExpert users.' To use Pick My Postcode, you'll need to be over 18 and register your postcode and make an account for free. At midday each day, the lottery will draw a postcode randomly with a £200 jackpot up for grabs. To claim it, you'll need to make sure you check the website for the winning postcode before midday the next day and claim it if it's your postcode that is drawn. If a £200 prize is unclaimed, the prize fund will increase by £200 every day until claimed. If there are multiple winners with the same postcode, the money will be split between each winner. MSE explained: 'The biggest prize claimed since the site started is £8,660.21. Before that it was £3,794.79, which was won by an MSE Weekly email reader. We also heard from another MoneySaver who won £2,500 – see their quote further down.' While it might sound like there's a catch, MSE explains: 'Pick My Postcode is funded by ads, which appear all over the site, along with links to other freebies and surveys. 'You don't have to click them, they make it money just by being there.' When checking the site, you can get an extra 3p each day, which will be added to your winnings, but you will only claim this if your postcode wins. A post shared by (@realpickmypostcode) You can also play smaller games, including the £50 Survey Draw (you'll need to answer a question to be entered) and the Stackpot – you could win £10 if your postcode appears in a list which is updated twice every day. Recommended reading: Martin Lewis 'three crucial alerts' warning for summer holiday travel Martin Lewis 'very pleased' at Winter Fuel Payments changes for pensioners How to claim a free coffee from Costa, Starbucks, Caffe Nero or Greggs this week If you check the site and your postcode comes up in the main draw on that day, you'll need to press the collect button. Pressing the button will mean your winnings will be paid into a PayPal account or you can have your winnings loaded onto a gift card. Winners can also choose to double and donate their winnings to a charity. Good luck!
