Surge in pensioners getting winter fuel payments - just as it is axed for most

Official figures show 11.6 million pensioners were given the winter fuel payment last year, but Labour's bid to balance the books means most of them won't be receiving the help this time round

The number of pensioners receiving winter fuel payments jumped by 214,000 to 11.6 million last year, latest official figures show..

The increase emerged as the row over Labour’s decision to axe the payment - worth up to £300 - for the vast majority of older people continues. At this week’s Labour conference, elderly people protested outside in the rain. Inside, boos and heckles were heard in the main hall after a debate calling for a U-turn on the winter fuel allowance cuts was delayed.

Unite, one of Labour’s biggest union backers, and the CWU was seeking to force a vote to save the winter fuel payment for millions of pensioners but it was rescheduled at the last minute. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed pensioners aged 75 and over accounted for the whole of the increase in those receiving payments last winter, rising to six million across Britain.

The figures also found 34,300 people living in Europe received the payment because they qualified. Most were in Ireland. Lib Dem Work and Pensions spokesperson Steve Darling MP said: “Cutting these payments for pensioners, which include millions who are just scraping by and are now worried about how they will get through the winter, is totally wrong.”

Caroline Abrahams, director at Age UK said: “The rise in the number of older people receiving a winter fuel payment last winter clearly shows our population is ageing, but also shows that the pressing need to keep pensioners warm and well during the colder months is not going away.

“Through our ongoing petition, we’re hearing very worrying comments about how older people will cope without their winter fuel payment, but most concerning is that many older people on low and modest incomes are planning to ration their heating this winter because they’re frightened how they’ll manage without it, as well as a 10% increase on their energy bills this winter.”

She added: ““The Government must do more at the Budget to ensure all pensioners on low and modest incomes, or who face particularly big energy bills due to sickness or disability, can navigate the coming cold months safely and with their health intact. There is still time for Ministers to avert this potential disaster, but they need to act fast.”