Winter fuel payments: 43,000 in Reading area to lose out

Figures from the Department of Work and Pensions show the number of pensioners who will lose a £200 or £300 payment to help with their heating bills in the winter.

The Labour government has decided to limit the winter fuel payments to only those who receive pension credit and other qualifying benefits.

Neighbours in Berkshire have expressed 'terror' at the upcoming change, with fears the elderly may have to choose between heating and eating this winter.

The figures are divided by parliamentary constituency, and based on records for those who qualify for Pension Credit.

In the Reading Central constituency, out of the 12,436 pensioners, 10,627 are not in receipt of Pension Credit. Of those, 3,096 are over the age of 80.

But the change is more stark for those living in Tilehurst, Calcot and the towns and villages in West Berkshire.

In Reading West and Mid Berkshire, of the 17,296 pensioners, 16,072 are not eligible for Pension Credit, with 4,416 of them being over 80.

Further west in the Newbury constituency, of the 17,930 pensioners 16,631 don't receive Pension Credit, and  4,535 of these people are over 80 years old.

Labour ministers have justified the decision by arguing the payments will remain for those most in need, with cost-cutting measures needed to plug a £22 billion 'black hole' in government finances.

But Lee Dillon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, has claimed people he has spoken to are 'terrified' by the change, and has called on the government to reverse the decision.

Lee Dillon, former leader of West Berkshire Council, is Newbury's new MP. Credit: John Sutton, Clearwater Photography

Mr Dillon said: "The fact that thousands of pensioners here in Newbury could be left out in the cold this winter is heart breaking.

"For many, losing this payment means having to choose between staying warm or putting food on the table.

"I’ve spoken to many residents who are terrified of how they’ll cope as the temperatures drop.

"The Government must step in and reverse these disastrous cuts. It's not too late. The new Government has a chance to do the right thing and protect our vulnerable pensioners."

Any change to the policy is unlikely, as the Labour government's Budget Responsibility Act 2024 which included the winter fuel payment measures was signed into law on Tuesday, September 10.

A parliamentary motion by opposition parties to reverse the change failed by 335 MPs votes to 213.

All five Labour Berkshire MPs voted against the motion, with Mr Dillon, the two other Liberal Democrats and Jack Rankin, the Conservative MP for Windsor voting for it.

The figures come from the Department of Work and Pensions StatExplore.

According to the charity Age UK, 2.5 million pensioners could face 'serious trouble' this winter due to the payment cut.