Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has revealed 249,600 people in Northern Ireland are no longer eligible for the winter fuel payment following the British government’s decision to means-test the benefit.
The figure came in answer to an Assembly question from Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler, who described it as “an incredible number”.
“It is almost a quarter of a million,” said Mr Butler, who asked Mr Lyons if his department would introduce a “support scheme, such as the previous emergency fuel payment scheme, to assist householders who are in need”.
Mr Lyons confirmed he had highlighted the impact of means-testing with Northern Ireland Office and Department for Work and Pension Ministers “on a number of occasions”.
He added: “To put the number in context, it is over 80% of pensioners in Northern Ireland.
“So, it is not just the rich, millionaires or people who can easily afford it: many people who are just above the threshold are going to be significantly impacted by the decision.
“Regarding mitigation, we will certainly do what is in our power.
“We need to wait to see what Barnett consequentials might be available. We then need to make sure that we help those who are in need.”
Mr Lyons said restricting the winter fuel payment would have “a detrimental impact on many in our society”.
Responding to a question from Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Colm Gildernew, Mr Lyons added: “For those who are less well off, it creates an additional financial burden and comes amid a range of cost-of-living pressures.
“A household is considered to be in fuel poverty if it must spend more than 10% of its household income on all fuel use.
“The last house condition survey identified the types of households most likely to be impacted by fuel poverty.
“It reported that 31% of households with one or more people of pensionable age are likely to be in fuel poverty. The rate increases to 38% of households headed by a person over the age of 75.”
Referencing the Executive’s Fuel Poverty Strategy, which goes out to public consultation in October and is expected to be finalised an approved by May 2025, Mr Lyons said: “Given the decision to move annual winter fuel payments to a means-tested system, the Fuel Poverty Strategy will aim to minimise the impact of the change on pensioners at risk of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.
“We will analyse the impact of the removal on pensioners who are above the threshold for winter fuel payments and income-related benefits and are susceptible to fuel poverty.”
