James has welcomed the arrival of the Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments for pensioner households in the Bracknell Constituency, worth up to £600, as part of the Government’s record £104 billion cost of living support package.

Over the past month, around 11.9 million payments totalling more than £4.8 billion have been made to pensioners across the UK. This means that more than 99 percent of eligible pensioners have now received up to £600 per household to help with their energy bill this Christmas for the second year running as the Government continues to target support at those most in need.

The payments build on the Government’s commitment to supporting pensioners and ensuring dignity in retirement. Following this year’s record 10.1 per cent increase to the State Pension, it will increase again by 8.5 per cent from April 2024, in line with earnings – bringing the New State Pension to over £11,500 a year, an increase of more than £900.

Further support has also been made available for vulnerable households this winter. Low-income households are receiving Cost of Living Payments worth £900 during 2023-24, and nearly three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount. The Cold Weather Payment has also now come into effect providing eligible households an extra £25 a week when the temperature drops below zero degrees for more than seven days.

Thanks to the difficult decisions taken by this Government to deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities, the economy has turned a corner with inflation halved and debt on track to fall. The Government is now focusing on taking the long-term decisions required to strengthen our economy while continuing to support the most vulnerable across the country.

Commenting, James said:

“The Government took unprecedented action to cushion households across Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Sandhurst and Wokingham Without from the impact of rising prices driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Pensioners in the Bracknell Constituency are already receiving record increases to their state pension, and these latest payments will make a huge difference in helping pensioners with their energy bills and household budgets this Christmas and into next year.

“The  Government has delivered on its commitment to halve inflation by the end of the year, which is the best way to put more money in the pockets of hard-working people, and rightly continues to take the long-term decisions to support pensioners.”

Commenting, Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

“Today shows we have honoured our commitment to protect pensioners throughout the cold winter months by paying out £4.8 billion of direct support in a matter of days.

“As well as getting this vital money to millions of pensioners, we have fulfilled our pledge to halve inflation and boosted the State Pension through the Triple Lock to ensure pensioners are supported after a lifetime of work.”