Age UK Rutland fears the impact of taking winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners
MPs vote later on plans to restrict payments to only the poorest
AgeUK in Rutland is warning of an increase in health issues amongst older people if MPs vote later to take away winter fuel payments from all but the poorest pensioners.
It's feared some could lose payments of 2 to 3 hundred pounds a year
Sir Keir Starmer says the measure's necessary because of the state of the country's finances.
We asked Tony Donovan, chief executive of Age UK in Rutland about the issue.
The government haven't made any money available to volunteer organisations like Age UK
He told us:""I think now there's so much fear out there about their ability to get through the winter, a lot of them will have to make the choice as to whether they put food on the table or whether they turn the heating on or off and nobody seems to be listening."
"There is no time really for people to get things sorted out."
"Who's going to do it for them?"
"The government haven't made any money available to volunteer organisations like Age UK?"
"Who's going to take them through the process of seeing whether they are eligible for pension credit and also to take them through the very difficult forms that go with it."
How many hospital beds are going to be blocked by older people who are admitted with hypothermia
"So our message to government is hold on - hold back."
"Don't do anything this year - use the next few months to try and sort it all out."
"But for goodness sake, don't do it now."
"I heard an older person say this morning how many older people are going to die before they realise they've made a mistake and that's the reality of it."
"How many hospital beds are going to be blocked by older people who are admitted with hypothermia and that can't come out because they can't heat their home?"
"It's a really silly decision and one I hope the government will do something about."