THE government has revealed the exact date that qualifies pensioners for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment after a major shake-up.
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the up to £300 payment will be made to those with an income of or below £35,000 this winter in a huge u-turn.
The free cash was only paid to state pensioners eligible for Pension Credit in 2024/25.
But ministers have faced backlash and been accused of leaving older households out in the cold after changing the eligibility criteria.
The government says the new criteria for this year means around nine million in England and Wales will qualify for a payment.
Eligibility is based on a person’s age and where they live during the qualifying week.
This year, that week is the third of September (September 15 to September 21).
A person needs to have reached state pension age by September 21 to be eligible for a payment.
Of course, your income will need to be at or below the £35,000 threshold by this date as well.
Pensioners aged up to 80 will receive a Winter Fuel Payment worth £200 while those aged 81 or over will get £300.
Pensioners above the £35,000 threshold will receive the Winter Fuel Payment but have it deducted automatically via PAYE, or a self-assessment tax return.
Pensioners who want to opt out of getting a payment will also be able to do so.
The government says it will reveal further details on how they can do this at a later date.
Ms Reeves said: “Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government.
“It is also right that we continue to means test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest.
“But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out.
Biggest u-turn in history
By Jack Elsom, Political Editor
AS political u-turns go, Rachel Reeves’ retreat on winter fuel payments will surely go down as one of the biggest – and messiest – in history.
Her first act as Chancellor to snatch the cold weather cash from 10million pensioners has today been spectacularly dumped.
Nine million OAP will now get the benefit, meaning all but the richest will claw back the £200-£300 sum.
With a price tag of £1.25billion, this whole palaver has only saved the Treasury £450million.
It’s chicken feed in the grand scheme of things, and a tenth of the annual migrant hotel bill.
But the political cost has been devastating.
Labour insiders trace their spanking at last month’s local elections back to Ms Reeves’ toxic decision in the weeks after the election.
That the winter fuel policy was still coming up on doorsteps 10 months later was a sign it was destined for the shredder.
Yet rather than ripping off the plaster cleanly, the past few weeks have seen an agonising u-turn mired in chaos and confusion.
Four years is a long time until the next general election, and Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Reeves will be hoping voters would have since moved on.
But – even with today’s backing down – the winter fuel debacle is likely to live long in the memory of the electorate and haunt Labour for a very long time.
“This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.”
The decision to limit the Winter Fuel Payment to only those who claimed Pension Credit was one of Labour’s first acts in Government.
Ministers made the move in a bid to balance what was described as a £22billion “black hole” in the public finances.
The shake-up meant the number of pensioners receiving the payment was reduced by around 10million, from 11.4million to 1.5million.
The Treasury claims the new arrangement will cost £1.25billion in England and Wales, while means-testing winter fuel will save the taxpayer £450 million.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
0 У понеділок, 26 травня, у мережі поширився кадр, де дружина французького президента Еммануеля Макрона Бріжит дала йому ляпаса та відштовхнула від себе. Політик заявив, що цей вчинок не мав жодного негативного підтексту. Президент Франції Еммануель Макрон заявив, це був лише жартівливий жест у рамках особистого спілкування, повідомляють Новини.LIVE!. Інцидент стався у вихідні під час […]
Оператори БпЛА “Vampire” вдарили по трьох укриттях окупантів У ДПСУ повідомили, що прикордонники “Сталевого кордону” знищили позиції росіян на Курському напрямку, передає Хронікерс. “Оператори БпЛА “Vampire” завдали точних ударів по трьох укриттях окупантів та знищили ворожий транспорт”, – йдеться у повідомленні. hronikers.com
Хвороби вишні, можуть мати різні причини. Одна з них – грибкове захворювання, яке називається моніліоз. Інша небезпека – враження вишні клястероспоріозом, що проявляється утворенням бурих плям на листі, які з часом збільшуються. Грибок розвиватися саме під час цвітіння дерева. Він проникає в пагони через суцвіття та швидко розширюється по дереву, приводячи до його засихання. […]![UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00:01 THURSDAY 5TH JUNE
DELIVEROO LAUNCHES DRONE DELIVERIES IN DUBLIN, TAKING THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS
Deliveroo takes on-demand delivery to new heights as it launches drone deliveries in Dublin, powered by Manna, an established global drone delivery operator.
An initial test phase is being used to assess whether drones can help unlock new customers, particularly in suburban locations, with the ability to bypass road traffic and cover longer distances in a short space of time.
The service will initially cover a 3km radius in the Dublin 15 neighbourhoods, with leading local restaurants, flown to customers in as little as three minutes.
New imagery and video shows a Deliveroo branded drone in flight making one of the first deliveries, a meal of sushi from Musashi.
5th June 2025 [Dublin]: Deliveroo, the on-demand delivery platform, has today launched drone deliveries in Dublin, Ireland.
Through a new partnership with Manna, an established global drone delivery operator, the service is designed to support Deliveroos continuous mission to improve the customer experience.
The innovative service is based in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, with Deliveroo conducting a test phase over the coming weeks. Deliveroo will use the initial weeks to assess how drones can help serve suburban and harder to reach locations, with the ultimate aim of unlocking new customers through super-fast deliveries, complementing its extensive rider network.
Over the coming days, customers in a 3km radius of Blanchardstown will be able to order from leading local restaurants including Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum and Elephant & Castle - flown to customers in as little as three minutes*. Deliveroo is aiming to expand the service to more restaurants and launch grocery and retail deliveries within the next six months.
In new imagery and a video released by Deliveroo today, a teal drone is seen making one of the first deliveries to a customer, with sushi from Musashi in tow. Whether its sushi for lunch, a Friday treat or a family gathering, the ambition is for Deliveroos drones to ensure orders arrive at peak freshness.
By bypassing road traffic, drone deliveries can significantly cut wait times and reduce emissions, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to traditional delivery methods, particularly suited to suburban locations where Deliveroo is looking to increase its presence. The objective is also for Deliveroo drone deliveries to support participating merchants in growing their sales by appealing to and reaching new customers, complementing Deliveroos existing delivery network.
Drones will be deployed from Mannas local delivery hub, flying at speeds of up to 80 km/h with a flight time of as little as three minutes. Upon arrival, the drone hovers and gently lowers the food to the ground via a secure, biodegradable tether, ensuring a seamless and contact-free delivery experience.
Deliveroo is excited by the prospect of expanding the service to its other markets, subject to the benefits to consumer experience, following the launch in Ireland, alongside regulatory evolution in other markets. The company welcomes the UK Government's £20 million investment to advance commercial drone operations and bring this technology closer to reality for UK consumers.
Carlo Mocci, Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo said: Our mission is to bring local neighbourhood favourites to as many peoples doors as possible, and constantly raise the bar on the experience and service we provide - so Im thrilled to launch drone deliveries in Dublin today.
Were excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model and if successful, the prospect of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets.
Bobby Healy, CEO and Founder of Manna Air Delivery said: Air delivery is fast, clean, and safe, offering a new avenue for local businesses to reach more consumers. Manna Air Delivery is proud to partner with Deliveroo, a platform trusted by top local restaurants and eateries, to bring this innovative delivery experience to customers."
Bill Lang, owner of Musashi said: We have been serving up authentic sushi for years but never thought we'd see it in the sky, delivered to peoples doorsteps by drone. Musashi is delighted to extend our partnership with Deliveroo to drone deliveries, helping us to reach even more customers in the Blanchardstown area."
Manna, which has already completed over 170,000 delivery flights in the Dublin 15 and holds full regulatory approvals, will operate the drones. Each drone is equipped with advanced safety features, including backup systems and a parachute, and is continuously monitored by a dedicated dispatcher throughout its flight.
Eligible customers within the correct radius will need to validate their address via the app before it confirms a suitable pin location for a safe drop off, typically a driveway, front or back garden. Once an order is placed, they will be able to track the delivery as usual and will be notified when the drone is nearby so they can receive the order.](https://www.thesun.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/msemail_Deliveroo_x_Manna_1jpg-JS1000383843.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
