Andy Burnham has pledged to increase state pensioners' payments by £100 when he takes office as Prime Minister on Monday. Under Burnham's leadership, Winter Fuel Payments will be reinstated by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as soon as this winter.
Eligibility and Payment Details
Younger state pensioners born after 1946 will receive £200, while older pensioners born before this date will see a £100 rise to £300. Existing eligibility criteria are anticipated to remain unchanged under the new Labour Party MP for Makerfield, Burnham.
Burnham assumed the role of Labour leader on Friday and is set to officially become PM on Monday following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation. He intends to maintain the current WFP eligibility and payment rates.
Who Qualifies for Winter Fuel Payment?
You're eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and typically reside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You won't qualify if you usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland or were hospitalised receiving free treatment for the entire week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and the preceding year, reports Birmingham Live.
You also won't be eligible if you require permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds or if you were incarcerated for the entire week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
Burnham's Economic Plans
Burnham has stated that the government needs to be "serious about putting more money back in people's pockets"; his policy adviser, Miatta Fahnbulleh, asserts that the prime minister will concentrate on "dealing with the cost of living in the short term". The Financial Times has reported that Fahnbulleh has proposed "immediately" providing cost-of-living support for energy bills and transport.
Speaking on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Fahnbulleh suggested the economy was central to Burnham's policy plans. When asked how people's lives would be different if Burnham becomes prime minister, Fahnbulleh said: "Everyone recognises that people are under pressure, living standards have not risen and we have to grip that. And that means dealing with the cost of living in the short term to give people some respite."
