Pensioner says winter fuel cut 'unbelievably cruel'

Bob Barber said he relies on the winter fuel payment

A pensioner has called the government's plan to cut winter fuel payments for some pensioners "unbelievably cruel".

Bob Barber from Corsham, Wiltshire, said his total income "is less than someone who is working full time on minimum wage".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the decision saying it is necessary and will save £1.4bn.

Chippenham's Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Gibson says the payment cut will affect about 17,000 people in her constituency, throwing many "into hardship".

In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the payment would now be made only to those on low incomes who received certain benefits and pension credit.

Pension credit is a form of means-tested benefit, which means it is based on income and savings.

The planned changes to winter fuel payment eligibilty mean more than 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the money.

While some say they never needed it, charities, unions and many MPs are concerned about those still on a relatively small income who will miss out.

Most of those who are now eligible for the winter fuel payment will be those on pension credit - a state top-up worth thousands of pounds a year. But around 880,000 eligible pensioners fail to claim it every year.

'Too tired and worn out'

Mr Barber lives with his partner and retired a few years ago. He has previously relied on the winter fuel payment and does not qualify for pension credits.

"Just trying to live on a pension alone, it's just not possible - you can't afford to lose any money whatsoever," he said.

"I suppose the bills will just build up. At the moment, I can do a bit of casual work but maybe another year I'll just be too tired and worn out to do it."

He said he did not expect a Labour government to "attack the poorest in society".

Around 10 million pensioners will lose the £300 fuel payment this year.

The government has said people should contact their local councils for support as it is putting more money into the Household Support Fund.

MP for Chippenham Sarah Gibson said the move to cut the payments will affect thousands of her constituents

'Completely wrong'

Ms Gibson said the change was expected to affect around 17,000 people in her area, with many "just over the limit and will be thrown into hardship".

She said she thought the government had "rushed" the decision.

"If people are given time to make adjustments, then maybe it would have been possible, but to jump in at the last minute like this and leave people in such a stressful situation seem to me seems completely wrong," she said.

She told the BBC that while she agreed not all pensioners needed the winter fuel payment, just giving it to those on pension credit was too limited.

"We're going to see vulnerable people suffer over the winter," she added.

Libby Romain said she needs the heat for medical reason too

Libby Romain - also from Wiltshire - has a rare form of motor neurone disease, which makes her more at risk from falls.

She said after a recent benefit check, she was £4.70 a week over the limit to get pension credit and therefore the winter fuel payment too.

"I don't expect to travel the world on my pension, but to be able to afford to pay my bills and have a reasonable standard of living," she said.

Ms Romain said she did not think she had a "high expectation."

"I've paid into everything - I've worked full time all my working life. I'm being penalised for having worked and got my private pension which places me that much over the threshold," she added.

She explained that if she got too cold, the risk of falling rose, it affected how she held things and if she then put on lots of layers, it restricted her movement.

'Difficult decisions'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC his government was "going to have to be unpopular" and accused previous governments of not confronting the cost of the winter fuel payment.

"I’m convinced that because they’ve run away from difficult decisions, we haven't got the change we need for the country," he said.

Over the weekend, the Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: "What I can guarantee for the state pension is that the increase under this government will outstrip any reduction in the winter fuel payment."