LABOUR has said the council debate on winter fuel payments “felt like a private squabble” between the Lib Dems and Conservatives. 

A motion to bring forward an awareness campaign to alert those eligible for pension credit in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was hijacked by claims of councillors “playing party politics”. 

Lib Dem cabinet member Richard Herrett successfully changed the Conservative motion to acknowledge “recklessness” from the party formerly in power. 

And the Conservative proposal, brought forward by leader Phil Broadhead, included mention of Labour and chancellor Rachel Reeves axing the payment scheme. 

BCP Labour leader Patrick Canavan said his party chose to stay out of the debate, including abstaining from the vote, and attacked the “political point scoring”. 

He said: "The Liberal Democrats had not one but two chances to de-politicise this debate but didn't do so.  

“If they had really been interested in supporting pensioners then they would have focused on what BCP should be doing to support them and ensuring that those who qualify for pension credit receive it. 

"Irrespective of personal views about the government's decision on Winter Fuel Payments, the Labour MPs in Bournemouth and Poole have been working with the CAB [Citizens Advice] and others to support those who are worried about heating costs this winter and will continue to do so. 

“There was no mention in the debate about the increase in state pensions outlined in the recent budget or the importance of the triple lock that this government has protected.” 

The government’s spokesman said millions of pensioners will see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 during the next five years through the triple lock. 

Cllr Canavan added: "The Conservatives were heavily defeated in last year's local elections and in the recent general election so the public has delivered their verdict on their record.  

“This debate felt like being an intruder in someone else's squabble with those of us who will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment being mere bystanders." 

The Tories have said there are an estimated 75,627 pensioners in the BCP area who will lose their fuel allowance. 

Nationally, around 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the benefit from this winter after the government decided to restrict payments to people on pension credit in a bid to save money. 

Ministers said the move was necessary to help fill a £22 billion “black hole” they claim the previous government left in this year’s spending plans.