New Winter Fuel Payment update for people over State Pension age

Scotland’s First Minister has urged Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer to be “on the right side of history” in delivering compensation for women impacted by changes to the State Pension age. Humza Yousaf has written to who he said are the “current and future” incumbents of Downing Street after he met with Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

The latest figures from Social Security Scotland show there are now 192,575 people receiving Adult Disability Payments (ADP), including some 109,385 existing claimants who have had their award for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the devolved IT system.

There are two key dates women born in the 1950s impacted by changes to the State Pension age should add to their diary this week as MPs return to Parliament after the Easter recess. The second reading of the State Pension Age (Compensation) Bill, which was brought before the House in February by SNP MP Alan Brown, will have its second reading on Friday, April 19.

The Scottish Government will replace Winter Fuel Payments with a new devolved lump sum later this year. Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) is set to be provided on a like-for-like basis to its Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) counterpart and paid to everyone over the State Pension age every year.

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that the State Pension currently provides a regular financial income for nearly 12.7 million older people across the country, including more than one million retirees living in Scotland. This payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is currently 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance (NI) contributions.

It's official, the new payment rates for disability-related benefits are now in effect, with millions of people set to benefit from an increase in their monthly payments of around 6.7 per cent. These apply to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance.

More than one million people over State Pension age living in Scotland will be able to claim two new devolved benefits starting before the end of this year. Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) will be worth up to £300 per household and is set to replace the annual Winter Fuel Payment, currently delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

State Pensions and benefits increased earlier this week after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) applied the annual uprating. More than 12 million people will see State Pension payments rise by 8.5 per cent while those on benefits including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will receive a 6.7 per cent increase.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride MP has said he will return to the House of Commons “when there is something to say” about a decision on whether women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the State Pension age should receive compensation. His comments may confuse some people as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s report (PHSO) published on March 21 indicated that compensation should be made.

Just days before its debut, Fallout looks to be assured a second season thanks to a $25 million tax credit from California.

More than 12,200 people have signed an online petition calling for a mobility element to be added to Attendance Allowance alongside the daily living component to enable people over State Pension age with a disability or long-term health condition to access the Motability Scheme. The mobility component is only available to people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult or Child Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

The latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures indicate that fraud and error in the benefit system is falling after the UK Government restated its determination to drive levels down further and protect taxpayers’ money. The most-recent national statistics show that in the 2022/23 financial year, fraud and error rates fell to 3.6 per cent (£8.3 billion) from 4.0 per cent (£8.7 billion) - figures for 2023/24 are due to be published next month.

English Teacher have announced a UK headline tour for this winter – you can find all the details below.The Leeds band are due to begin the five-date run with a headline show at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on November 12. From there, they’ll make stops in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol.Tickets for the upcoming gigs go on general sale at 10am BST next Friday (April 12) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.

An open letter to Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt MP, demanding a debate and vote in Parliament on compensation for Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, has been signed by more than 156,000 people in just 10 days.

Millions of older people in receipt of the New or Basic State Pension are set for a significant boost this year after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed payments will rise by 8.5 per cent from April 8, 2024. Those with additional State Pension elements or deferred payments, will see an uplift of 6.7 per cent.

With 22 children and 13 grandchildren, it's no surprise that Sue Radford enjoys taking regular holidays and having some downtime. And it appears she and the family may be planning another trip this weekend for the Easter bank holiday, as the 22 Kids and Counting star was spotted clearing out her campervan this week.

New figures published by Social Security Scotland show that there are now 192,575 people in receipt of Adult Disability Payment (ADP). This includes 83,190 new applicants and 109,385 existing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants who have now transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the devolved benefits system.

Bruce Springsteen joined country superstar Zach Bryan on stage at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center last night (March 27) – check out the footage below.The Boss took time out from his own tour, which is currently on the West Coast of the US, to fly over to New York for the appearance.Bryan was sporting a Springsteen shirt for the performance, and the two musicians played a version of Bryan’s as-yet-unreleased song ‘Sandpaper’, as well as his 2019 song ‘Revival’, for which they were joined on stage by Maggie Rogers.@springsteen on stage with Zach Bryan @barclayscenter tonight! Love that Zach is wearing a Springsteen tour shirt as he performs! Video by @AdamZagoria #springsteen #Zachbryan pic.twitter.com/ktgzwRaGLA— Spring-Nuts (@SpringNuts_) March 28, 2024Zach Bryan, Bruce Springsteen and Maggie Rogers on Revival in Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/S27jytJ4r8— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 28, 2024The 2024 leg of Springsteen’s current world tour restarted last week after the Boss had to postpone a hefty chunk of shows in 2023 due to health concerns.The worries arose towards the end of last year, when the singer-songwriter needed to be treated for peptic ulcer disease, and was forced to delay all of his shows after playing in New Jersey on September 3.On March 19, he returned to the stage in Phoenix, Arizona, playing a set incorporating tracks from across his extensive discography, ranging from his first album, ‘Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.’, through 2022’s ‘Only the Strong Survive’.Later this summer, The Boss is set to return to this side of the pond for his 2024 UK and Ireland tour – find any remaining tickets here.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that State Pension and benefit payment rates will rise from April 8, 2024. State Pensions will go up by 8.5 per cent, under the Triple Lock, while most working age and disability benefits will increase by the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate of 6.7 per cent.

Netflix have confirmed the release date for a new thriller series starring British actor Benedict Cumberbatch.