East Midlands Winter Fuel Payment Fears Spark Search Surge

Fears about changes to Winter Fuel Payments has sparked a surge in people looking for help across England.

The Winter Fuel Payment was available to almost everyone in the UK born before 25^th September 1957, to help them cover heating costs.

But, from this winter, only those on pension credit or means-tested benefits will get the payment – leading to fears that millions of pensioners will struggle to pay their bills.

These fears have been proven by a staggering 436.56% rise in searches for terms like Winter Fuel Payment and 1384 related terms, like cold weather payments, and winter fuel pay.

In fact, before the announcement, the research by Mobile Annexe LTD. reveals the terms were only searched an average of around a quarter-of-a-million times a month, but now it’s skyrocketed to almost 1.5 million!

Places across the East Midlands also saw a sharp rise in searches for support.

Lincolnshire saw the biggest increase at 271.34%. Before the announcement, the terms were only searched 9,170 times a month, but this shot up to 34,050.

Leicestershire came second with a 258.63% rise, from 5,270 to 18,880.

Nottinghamshire saw a 257.34% increase from 7,150 to 25,550, and Derbyshire a 242.77% surge from 8,910 to 30,550.

Northamptonshire saw the lowest increase at 169.86%, going from 6,470 to 17,460.

Meanwhile, Rutland was the only place to see a drop in searches at -20.79%, with 1,010 falling to 800.

Gary Clayden-Smith, from Mobile Annexe LTD. who conducted the research, said the rise is “incredibly worrying.”

“Not only are people facing a cost-of-living crisis, with prices continuing to rise across all avenues of life, but older people, arguably the most vulnerable people in our society, are seeing a hit to their support.

“Millions of people across the country will now have to make the difficult decision between heating their home or saving their money to spend on other necessities.

“I strongly urge friends and family to check in on their older relatives and neighbours, offer to help them find ways to save money, go through budgeting with them, and try and heat-proof their home’s – just please don’t leave anybody to struggle with this alone.”