I am proposing this petition, which is close to my heart,  before you today. In the current cost of living crisis, many pensioners are already precariously financially placed, suffering immensely. They are cruelly excluded from claiming pension credit by the thinnest margins. A pivotal lifeline for these victims could be the winter fuel allowance, which offers some economic relief. 

In light of this situation, it's critical for this new chancellor to reinstate the winter fuel allowance for all pensioners until at least 2025. We then propose a gradual introduction of a means-tested system for new pension claimants, ensuring that those who need it most are not denied this essential support. 

According to Age UK, the average fuel bill in the UK is set to rise by nearly £200 this year, while pension credit thresholds remain immovably static. This is creating a perilous situation for many pensioners who are forced to choose between heating and eating.

We are not suggesting that this allowance should be a lifetime guarantee, but an essential short-term solution to lift the burden from vulnerable pensioners. Therefore, we seek your support in reinstating the winter fuel allowance until at least 2025 and then, in a fair and and forewarned manner, transiting at a calculated pace towards a means-tested allowance for new claimants. Please sign this petition to help protect our pensioners from this devastating reality.