Rachel Reeves told 'stop picking on pensioners - winter fuel axe could cause NHS crisis'

Rachel Reeves has been urged to step into the shoes of pensioners facing a choice between heating or eating this winter after Labour cut fuel payments from 10 million.

Labour had promised to cut household energy bills by £300 in the general election, but one of its first acts in government was to remove the winter fuel allowance lifeline without making plans to help pensioners cope with higher energy bills.

The Chancellor's move sparked fury and accusations of being dishonest about Labour's plans, including from Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho who said the cut will hit millions of pensioners.

It came ahead of regulator Ofgem announcing on Friday (August 23) that its energy price cap would rise by 10 percent, adding £149 to the average household energy bill from October.

Peter Meyer, 73, from Lowestoft, told Express.co.uk he expects to lose £500 a year under Labour's fuel allowance cut. The retired market stallholder said: "They're robbing us. [Rachel Reeves] should try and live on what a pensioner gets without the heating allowance and see if she can live on it if she thinks we can.

"Can she live on £200 a week and pay for fuel in winter? Can she do that? She has to think of everybody."

Mr Meyer's wife Carol, 68, added: "The first thing (Labour) did (when the party won the general election) was pick on pensioners. Pensioners need to stand their ground."

Peter added: "They're just robbing all the pensioners. If you're on the borderline you're b*****ed."

Lifelong Labour voter Tom McCullough, 74, from Clacton-on-Sea, said the party had "p*****" him off by taking away the winter fuel allowance. He said: "They've left me out of pocket to the tune of £100."

Another Clacton-on-Sea local, Fran, 75, who wouldn't give her surname, said: "A majority of people that live here are elderly. That's their lifeline. It's going to be a choice of eat or heat. But they don't care, do they?"

Ms Reeves announced in July that the winter fuel allowance would no longer be universal and only pensioners on means-tested benefits would qualify for it this winter.

Jonathan Bean, spokesperson for campaign group Fuel Poverty Action, told Express.co.uk millions of low income pensioners may be forced to turn off their heating and hot water this winter as prices rise and the winter fuel support is slashed.

He added: "Whereas most of us face 65 percent higher energy bills than in 2020, many pensioners face a shocking 130 percent increase as a result of this reckless decision.

"Cold damp homes cause serious health issues amongst pensioners, and risk overwhelming the NHS this winter. It's inhumane, and bad economics by Reeves."

Fuel Poverty Action is calling for urgent action to keep pensioners warm and safe this winter by introducing an Energy For All scheme which it said would guarantee essential energy for every household funded by the "huge" profits of energy firms.

A Government spokesperson said: "We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. That’s why through our commitment to protect the triple lock, over 12 million pensioners will see their state pensions increase by almost £1,000 over the next five years.

"But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right that we target support to those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy."

The spokesperson added that over a million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment and eligible pensioners will also be able to benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme from October to help with their energy bills over winter.

They continued: "We are urging pensioners to come forward and check their eligibility for Pension Credit to ensure as many people in need as possible have access to this support."