MoneySavingExpert.com homepage
Cutting your costs, fighting your corner
Founder, Martin Lewis · Editor-in-Chief, Marcus Herbert
Search bar closed.
MSE News

Winter fuel payments cut for those in hot countries

gasstove
Helen Knapman
Helen Knapman
News & Investigations Editor
26 June 2013

People living in hot countries will no longer be able to claim winter fuel payments from autumn 2015, chancellor George Osborne has announced in the Government's Spending Review.

Under the current system, those born on or before 5 January 1952 – including some living in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland – can get between £100 and £300 tax-free to help pay for heating bills. (See our Cheap Energy Club for help cutting bills.)

But from 2015 the payments will be linked to a temperature test. Those living in a country with an average winter temperature higher than the warmest region of the UK will no longer receive it.

The clampdown will particularly affect British expats who have moved to areas such as southern Spain. "It is, after all, a payment for winter fuel," Osborne told MPs.

The Government says this is expected to save £30 million a year.

See our Housing and Energy Grants guide to see if you're entitled to free cash for your home.

MSE Forum

Winter fuel payments

Forum image
MSE Email icon 11 February 2025

For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today - it’s spam free!

Compare+ Home Insurance tool
Beat 19% price hikes
Stop overpaying on energy
Avoid 6% April rise
Cheap medical insurance
Our five must-knows
30+ AI tools
Save time & hassle
Beat Microsoft price hike
Costs to rise by up to £30
Top 5% savings
After the base rate cut
When will mortgages fall?
See lender-by-lender
Tools and calculators

Clever ways to calculate your finances

Find your odds of getting top cards
Find your odds for getting a cheap loan
Compare broadband, phone & TV deals
Compares thousands of mortgages
Eight calcs to help you work out the cost
We ensure you’re on the cheapest tariff