LIBERAL Democrat MP Vikki Slade has said “countless” pensioners across her constituency are worried about how they will pay for their bills this winter. 

The MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole has backed a motion in Parliament to block Labour’s plans to scrap winter fuel payments for most pensioners. 

Analysis from the Department of Work and Pensions shows an estimated 23,037 pensioners in Mid Dorset and North Poole are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months. 

If passed, the Liberal Democrat motion would protect pensioners by blocking the government’s changes and restoring their winter fuel payments. 

Mrs Slade said: “I’ve heard from countless pensioners across Mid Dorset and North Poole worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter. 

“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners in MDNP just as energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong, and most of us were really shocked to hear the announcement when it came just before summer recess.  

“It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter."

Chancellor Rachel ReevesChancellor Rachel Reeves  

Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the decision to restrict winter fuel payments despite rising energy bills.

She said: “When I became Chancellor of the Exchequer, I inherited a £22 billion black hole in the public finances.

“Taking no action wasn’t an option, because that would have made it difficult for the Government to finance its needs, and we would have ended him up in the same position that the previous Conservative government ended up in, with mortgage rates and interest rates spiking and pensions being put in peril."

She added: “I have also reached out to Age UK for a meeting to see how we can encourage more pensioners who do not claim Pension Credit to put in an application and get what they are entitled to.” 

As well as the expected rise in fuel costs coming into the winter months, the average household energy bill is to increase by £149 from October after Ofgem said it was increasing its price cap.

It means the price cap will increase by 10 per cent from the current £1,568 for a typical household in England, Scotland and Wales to £1,717.

Charity Age UK said it “strongly” opposes means-testing the payment because it means “as many as two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and will be in serious trouble as a result”.

Stuart Andrew MP, opposition chief whip, said: “The Conservatives have already submitted a Motion to challenge the government to hold a debate on winter fuel payments.

"The Liberal Democrats should back those plans.”