Nearly 48,000 Britons living abroad, even in sunnier climes, are receiving at least £9.6m in winter fuel payments, a Cambridgeshire man has discovered.
Nearly 48,000 Britons living abroad, even in sunnier climes, are receiving at least £9.6m in winter fuel payments, a Cambridgeshire man has discovered.
Brian Lake, from Warboys, obtained the data under the Freedom of Information Act and described it as an "outrage".
Brian Lake, from Warboys, obtained the data under the Freedom of Information Act and described it as an "outrage".
The £200 Winter Fuel Allowance is paid annually to people over 60. Those over 80 can get up to £100 more but younger disabled people are not eligible.
The £200 Winter Fuel Allowance is paid annually to people over 60. Those over 80 can get up to £100 more but younger disabled people are not eligible.
The government said the payments were mandatory under European law.
The government said the payments were mandatory under European law.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "European law dictates that benefits acquired in one member state have to be paid to people who then move to another.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "European law dictates that benefits acquired in one member state have to be paid to people who then move to another.
"If you qualified before you went to Spain, or wherever, we have to carry on paying it."
"If you qualified before you went to Spain, or wherever, we have to carry on paying it."
He said that pensioners who split their year between the UK and another country would also still receive payments even if they spent the entire winter abroad.
He said that pensioners who split their year between the UK and another country would also still receive payments even if they spent the entire winter abroad.
Holiday islands
Holiday islands
Anyone wishing to claim Winter Fuel Allowance must qualify when they are resident in the UK.
Anyone wishing to claim Winter Fuel Allowance must qualify when they are resident in the UK.
They must register by mid-September in order to receive payments for the following winter.
They must register by mid-September in order to receive payments for the following winter.
The winter here is just as cold as in Shropshire where I used to live John MarlowMelleran, France
However, once qualified, they can continue to receive it if, in future years, they move abroad to another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
However, once qualified, they can continue to receive it if, in future years, they move abroad to another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
John Marlow is 71 and moved to Melleran, western France after he retired. He says he has paid into the system and is therefore entitled to the payments he receives.
"The winter here is just as cold as in Shropshire where I used to live, sometimes colder," Mr Marlow told the BBC News website.
"The payment does help - it probably covers about a month and a half of fuel for me - and I'd have to find that money from somewhere else if I didn't get it."
The EEA is made up of all 25 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
The EEA is made up of all 25 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
As well as the sunny climes of countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece, this also includes overseas European territories, including the Canary Islands and tropical French territories such as Martinique, in the Caribbean, and Reunion, in the Indian Ocean.
As well as the sunny climes of countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece, this also includes overseas European territories, including the Canary Islands and tropical French territories such as Martinique, in the Caribbean, and Reunion, in the Indian Ocean.
The Institute for Public Policy Research estimates at least 5.5 million British citizens are living permanently overseas and a further 500,000 live abroad for part of the year.
The Institute for Public Policy Research estimates at least 5.5 million British citizens are living permanently overseas and a further 500,000 live abroad for part of the year.
The most popular country in Europe is Spain, with more than 760,000 British residents.
The most popular country in Europe is Spain, with more than 760,000 British residents.
Are you a Brit abroad? Have you been affected by this story? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Are you a Brit abroad? Have you been affected by this story? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
