Why do I get winter fuel payout, asks rock star Plant
ROBERT PLANT, the former Led Zeppelin frontman, has questioned the Government over his winter fuel payments.
The singer, 69, accosted Baroness Bakewell, the Labour peer, in the street to ask why he receives the annual allowance, which is meant to help poverty-stricken pensioners stay warm in winter. Plant told the peer that he was baffled after receiving the benefit, which can be worth as much as £300 for older pensioners.
For someone of Plant’s age the payout is more likely to have been £200 – but Baroness Bakewell said any payout should only be given to those who need it.
She told the House of Lords: “I was stopped in the street by Robert Plant, a multi-billionaire rock star, of Led Zeppelin.
“He said, ‘Joan, I’ve been sent £300 by the Government. Why?’. Why indeed? The heating allowance for older people should be means tested.”
A means test for the payments originally appeared in Theresa May’s 2017 general election manifesto but it was removed after a backlash.