If an article in yesterdays Independent newspaper is to be believed then the new UK coalition government is about to end the Winter Fuel Payment that many UK expats still receive even though they do not live in the UK.
The article, entitled, “Heating benefits for ex-pat elderly to be cut,” lays out proposals that would see British expatriates living in EU countries losing their entitlement to Winter fuel payments. According to figures released this would affect around 65,000 ex-pats and save the treasury some £14m a year.
Personally I think the government should take this action since it is another example of expatriate pensioner inequality, whereby folk living outside the EU are treated differently to those within its borders. Take Cyprus as an example, having lived there for a few years it seems ludicrous to me that a pensioner there (mild winter usually 60F)would get the same allowance as someone literally freezing to death in the East Midlands.
Who knows perhaps the Tories who were keen to court expats during the election run up will also take some action to give all expat UK citizens pension parity as well. I somehow doubt this unless of course they freeze the pensions of those expats living in the EU. Now there’s a thought!
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