South East to be hit hardest by Winter Fuel changes
New research suggests people in the South East could feel the brunt of changes to Winter Fuel Payments.
Experts at PE analysed Government data to reveal over 1.7 million people in the region were recipients of Winter Fuel Payments for Winter 2023 to 2024.
More than 900-thousand were female, and over 700-thousand male.
The North West came second with over 1.3 million recipients, and the South West third with more than 1.2 million.
Overall, last year over 11.5 million people received Winter Fuel Payments
When broken down by local authority in the South East, people in Buckinghamshire are expected to be hit hardest, as almost 100-thousand people received Winter Fuel payment for winter 2023 to 2024 – that's around double second place New Forest, which is thought to be the next hardest hit, with almost 50-thousand previous recipients.
Arun came third, followed closely by Medway, both with over 44-thousand recipients.
It’s thought Epsom and Ewell will be the least affected, with just under 14-thousand recipients, followed by Rushmoor and Runnymede, both just over 14-thousand.
Josh Edwards from PE who analysed the data, said, “with changes to Winter Fuel Payment coming into force, it’s understandable there are concerns about keeping places warm this winter.
He has these tips for anybody who is worried:
“Use a programmable thermostat to maintain a consistent temperature without wasting energy. This can help keep temperatures comfortable during working hours or peak times while reducing heating when spaces are not in use, such as at night or over weekends. This can also help prevent energy waste from overheating, or forgetting to turn the system off, while also stopping the need for constant manual changes.”
“Check that radiators are working efficiently, bleeding them if necessary to improve heat distribution. Over time, air can become trapped, which stops hot water from circulating properly and leads to cold spots, reducing their efficiency. After bleeding, it’s also a good idea to check the boiler’s pressure, as bleeding can sometimes cause a drop.
“Insulate well to keep heat in. Insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep places warm during the winter and reduce heating costs. Without sufficient insulation, a large amount of heat can escape through the roof, walls, and even floors, making the heating system work harder.”