The Department for Work and Pensions revealed data on Friday that indicated there had been approximately 74,400 pension credit claims in the eight weeks following July 29.
However, the government only received 11,800 claims in the seven days starting on September 16—down from 13,400 the previous week.
In July, the newly elected Labour administration declared that assistance with fuel expenses for the winter would no longer be universal, but would instead be limited to senior recipients of benefits like pension credit and universal credit, up to £300.
In an attempt to defend its choice, Labour has stated that it must stabilize the economy in light of the £22 billion financial “black hole” the Tories left behind.
The Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated that “thousands” of retirees were not receiving the payment of an average of £3,900 annually, prompting ministers to start massive efforts to increase pension credit take-up among eligible pensioners.
The government has faced criticism from all sides over the reduction. In an embarrassing setback for the prime minister, Labour members at the party conference voted in favor of a motion urging ministers to undo their cut to the winter fuel allowance.
