Nearly 22,000 pensioners will lose winter fuel payment in Glastonbury and Somerton
Age UK has previously said that 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter
Glastonbury and Somerton's Liberal Democrat MP, Sarah Dyke, has called on the new government to “change course” on scrapping winter fuel payments for pensioners.
Analysis of new data shows that in Glastonbury and Somerton, 5,959 pensioners aged over 80 are not in receipt of pension credit and will lose their Winter Fuel Payment they were previously entitled to unless they receive other benefits.
All those aged over 80 were previously entitled to £300 each to help with their energy bills to stay warm during the winter months but many will now lose this money.
In total, last year those aged over 80 in Glastonbury and Somerton received £1,655,700 in support with £3,914,300 given out to all pensioners in the constituency.
In total, 21,892 pensioners in Glastonbury and Somerton do not receive pension credit and are also at risk of losing support due to the government’s cuts.
Age UK has previously said that 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments.
Sarah Dyke MP has called on the government to “reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners” this winter.
Liberal Democrat MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, Sarah Dyke said:
“Thousands of pensioners here in Glastonbury and Somerton are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter. I am concerned most about those older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying.
“I have heard countless stories from those who now say they will have to choose between staying warm or putting food on the table as a result of this government’s decision.
“Cutting these payments for thousands of my constituents, including many that are just barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.
“It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners here in Glastonbury and Somerton this winter.”
Yesterday, the Prime Minister's deputy official spokeswoman said the Government's policy on changes to winter fuel payments "remains the same".
She said: "There's no change in our position on winter fuel, our focus remains on encouraging more people who should be eligible for pension credit to be applying for it, but the policy remains the same."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted the move - which will save around £1.3 billion this year - is essential to help fill the black hole in the public finances.