Winter Fuel Cash Madness
David Ward MP
Thousands of people living in Europe are receiving Winter Fuel Payments of up to £400, figures obtained David Ward MP have revealed.
Over 65,000 British citizens living overseas are receiving Winter Fuel Payments of between £250 and £400. This includes over 31,000 people living in Spain and over 16,000 living in France.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"The Winter Fuel Payments system urgently needs looking at. European law means that benefits acquired in one European country continue to be paid if the claimant moves abroad. These payments were Gordon Brown's way of buying the votes of pensioners. They are another example of Labour's totally discredited tax and benefits system and provide yet another justification for the wholesale overhaul of the benefits system being carried out by the new Coalition Government.
"I find it incredible at a time when we are challenging all areas of government spending that so much money is being sent abroad to help people pay their fuel bills. Older people are feeling the pinch from fuel costs in this country, it is absurd that money is being sent to people living abroad who do not have to face harsh winters".
The figures were revealed in an answer to a Written Parliamentary Question tabled by David Ward MP.
David Ward (Bradford East, Liberal Democrat): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many former UK residents in each foreign country were in receipt of winter fuel payments in each month of the last five years.
Steve Webb (Minister of State, Work and Pensions): Winter Fuel Payments are annual lump-sum payments with the majority paid in November and December each year. European Community law means that some benefits acquired in one member of state must be paid to people when they move to another country within the European economic area. Winter Fuel Payments are only paid to former UK residents living in the European economic area if they qualified for payment before leaving the UK.
The number of Winter Fuel Payments made to former UK residents living abroad is
2008-09 - 65,389
2007-08 - 55,533
2006-07 - 47,919
2005-06 - 39,882
2004-05 - 26,936
Source: Winter Fuel Payment System