Winter fuel payment cuts prompt charity concerns

Chris Fox said those just above the winter fuel payment threshold would be hardest hit

A charity is worried about how elderly people will cope when winter fuel payments are cut this year.

From this autumn, those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300.

It means 87% of pensioners in Telford and Wrekin, and 91% in the Shropshire Council area, will miss out on payments.

The government said it was right to target winter fuel payments on those in most need.

Forum 50+, part of the Telford and Wrekin Senior Citizens Forum charity, said while it was good those most in need would receive payments, it was those just above the threshold who would be hardest hit.

"Along with the continued uncertainty about energy prices, this fear will drive more vulnerable people to not heat their homes adequately and of course this can have a devastating effect on health and wellbeing,” Charity Coordinator Chris Fox said.

The payment scheme was created in 1997 to help everyone above state pension age with their winter heating bills.

A pensioner at an indoor curling session organised by Forum 50+ told BBC Shropshire that she regretted voting for Labour during last month's general election.

"I voted Labour thinking they would come on to the side of low-income people and they haven't," she said.

The government said it was committed to pensioners by protecting the triple lock and keeping energy bills low through its Warm Homes Plan.

"We said we would be honest with the public and, given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, this government must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy," a government spokesperson said.