I recognise the contribution pensioners have made, and continue to make, to British society. We must ensure that everyone has security and dignity in their retirement. I am encouraged that my colleagues in government have committed to keeping the Winter Fuel Payment, ensuring that older people have the security and dignity they deserve. This means £200 will continue to be paid to households where someone has reached State Pension age and is under age 80, rising to £300 where households contain someone aged 80 and over. I hope most eligible pensioners will have received their payments by now.  

In addition to Winter Fuel Payments, there are many other benefits available to pensioners, including free bus passes and free prescriptions. Cold Weather Payments are also available, and the Warm Home Discount provides over one million vulnerable pensioners with a £140 rebate on their energy bills. 

If you feel you do not need the Winter Fuel Payment you can simply return it to the office that issues it. You can also write to the Department for Work and Pensions requesting not to receive a Winter Fuel Payment for future years. 

I would also add that as a result of the 'triple lock', the value of the full basic State Pension is now £2,050 more than it was a decade ago. This year, owing to a statistical anomaly as a result of the Covid pandemic, the metric for average earnings cannot be used to calculate the Triple Lock. Therefore, we are reverting to a Double Lock, whereby the State Pension is raised by the highest of inflation or 2.5 per cent. This means pensioners will continue to be protected from any rises in prices. This is a temporary measure and we will revert to the Triple Lock in 2022. 

My New Homes (New Development Standards) Bill requested that developers met minimum standards of provision for insulation, so that new homes can reach higher grades of overall efficacy.  Well-designed, modern insulation and draught-proofing in a home mitigate the causes of damp and mould, make the home more heat-effective and lower the overall price of energy bills. Installing insulation, in conjunction with other building work, is also significantly cheaper than retrofitting. 

https://www.cliftonbrown.co.uk/parliament/new-homes-new-development-standards-bill 

I hope this reassures you that support is being offered to pensioners, people who have worked hard, saved, and done the right thing.