Winter Fuel Payments: Medway pensioner to spend winter 'wrapped up in blankets'

A pensioner from Medway say she will spend the winter 'wrapped up in blankets' after the Winter Fuel Payments were cut.

On Tuesday, a vote in the House of Commons, approved the government's plans

A Tory motion designed to block the changes was also defeated by 348 to 228. It would have seen eligibility for the benefit limited to only the poorest pensioners.

As a result, winter fuel payments will be restricted to those receiving pension credit, meaning more than 10 million pensioners will lose out this winter.

Sir Keir Starmer insists it’s necessary to stabilise the economy and fill a £22 billion "black hole" in this year's budget left by the Conservative government.

7\0 year old Christine Bruce Jones lives in Gillingham, and she is one of people who will lose the support and it's left her feeling scared for the winter.

Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "I'm really annoyed, it's just not fair. I've worked all my life but I'm being kicked in the teeth when I'm old and I think you've got to look after the elderly people, it's wrong.

"If it wasn't for me working at the food bank, I don't think I would survive, it would either be food or heat. It's a very scary thought that if it wasn't for my boss feeding me I would be lost.

"Either way, It will be very tough, wrapped up in blankets with water bottles I suspect but you've just go to live life and get on with it,

"There's no ifs or buts, I've just got to get through it because what the government won't give anything up, they are just taking it out on the elderly."