‘I wish to retire however must work as we want cash – Budget 2024 does not assist me’

Pensioner Pritpal Kaur is worried that there appears to be no help in the Budget 2024 after she lost the winter fuel allowance.

The 73-year-old, from West London, is recovering after chemotherapy and fears she may not be able to afford her bills.

Pritpal, who is a part-time shop assistant, said: “There was nothing I saw about the winter fuel, I don’t know where I stand. I’m not really very well, my bones are hurting, and I need my house to be warm, I need my electric blanket and hot water bottle.”

The family fears Pritpal may also miss out on claiming pension credits.

She said: “My daughter thinks the cut off limit for pension credits is £11,800 a year. My pension is £11,808, so do I miss out by £8? We will apply and see what happens, but it doesn’t seem fair. I want to retire but I have to keep working because we need the money.

“I can’t see anything that helps me. It’s great that they’re putting billions into the NHS, but the last government should have done that years ago. I don’t think they’re looking after the people who really need it.”