Northern Ireland’s Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has stated that an estimated 86% of pensioners in the region will qualify for the winter fuel payment this year.
This announcement follows the government’s reversal of a previously implemented and widely debated policy.
The Labour government had initially moved to abolish the universal payment as part of a cost-saving initiative.
Under the revised eligibility criteria, individuals with an annual income of £35,000 or less will now be entitled to receive the grant.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme, Minister Lyons indicated that government analysis projects approximately 288,000 pensioners will now be eligible for the payment due to this policy modification.
“By comparison, the projected UK-wide eligibility rate stands at roughly 80%, with Northern Ireland exhibiting a slightly higher percentage owing to generally lower income levels,” he noted.
Lyons criticized the handling of the situation, stating: “This has been a mess from the start. The government have a lot to answer for on this. This has been handled horrifically by the government and has put a lot of worry and concern into the minds of our older people.”
Previously, Lyons secured £17m from Stormont to distribute a one-off payment of £100 to those impacted by the initial policy change last winter.
He further commented on the Labour government’s initial strategy, characterizing it as ill-conceived.
“I said from the start this would not have saved the government a lot of money,” he asserted.
“What we have seen is a number of pensioners reach out for help and realise they are eligible for pension credit, which is a passport for other benefits. So in that regard it’ll actually cost the government more.”
The winter fuel payment program was established in 1997 with the aim of providing financial assistance to all individuals above the state pension age to help offset winter heating expenses.
Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the winter of 2024 would mark the first instance of pensioners in England and Wales being ineligible for the payment.
Subsequently, Northern Ireland was compelled to adopt a similar approach.
Payments were then restricted to those on benefits and pension credit.
The Ladies with Letters was set up after a major review of cervical screening was announced in the Southern Health Trust.
Ciaran Mulgrew will leave his role on Friday as the health minister says a fresh start is required.
Police believe the attacks are not the work of a single individual.
The Education Authority said Paul Corrigan was a “highly valued and dedicated member” of staff.
The Western Trust’s chief executive says he understands the “strength of feeling” that this issue generates.