Removing Winter Fuel Payments could be 'devastating' for farming and rural pensioners

"We believe as many as two million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut."

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
"The lack of adequate heating in rural areas, coupled with limited access to healthcare services, significantly heightens the risk of cold-related illnesses and deaths among the elderly."
Image:

"The lack of adequate heating in rural areas, coupled with limited access to healthcare services, significantly heightens the risk of cold-related illnesses and deaths among the elderly."

Removing Winter Fuel Payments (WFPs) could leave rural pensioners facing fuel poverty during what could be a very harsh winter season. Devon farmer and agri-tech entrepreneur James Wright said he was...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

From the editor: Water is the essence of life

From the editor: Water is the essence of life

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Katie Jones
clock 13 August 2026 • 2 min read
Shadow Defra Secretary calls for faster bluetongue testing and vaccine rollout

Shadow Defra Secretary calls for faster bluetongue testing and vaccine rollout

Victoria Atkins said Defra needed to 'drastically improve' the speed and quantity of communication to farmers, as well as accelerating testing and vaccine availability

Rachael Brown
clock 10 August 2026 • 3 min read
Farmers protest outside Stormont over 'wild west' cattle cull

Farmers protest outside Stormont over 'wild west' cattle cull

Mia Willemsen
clock 10 August 2026 • 5 min read