Ms Zabba

Good news. The full 'new' state pension is to rise £460 a year next year due to the triple lock. That is a real rise of about £200 above inflation. Yet there are 2 things I'd point out in the context of the debate about the winter fuel payment. 1. That starts next April. This winter most pensioners are facing (looking at energy bills alone) a typical £500 higher cost compared to last (energy bills are £100ish cheaper, but no £300 cost of living payment, no up to £300 winter fuel payment) 2. The full state pension rise is for those who get the full state pension. There are up to 800,000 of the poorest pensioners who get less than the full state pension (£11,400 a year) who aren't claiming pension credit and will miss out on the winter fuel payment even though they should get it. They are very hard to reach and will be under huge financial pressure. These are therefore people the govt said should be helped but due to difficulties in the system won't be. These are the people I'm most worried about, some of whom may end up choosing between heating and eating. Nb Only 1 in 4 pensioners get the 'new' state pension (ht @paullewismoney) the 'old' state pension also has the triple lock but as it is on a lower base won't rise as much.