37% of older people ‘will find it hard to manage without winter fuel payment’

More than three-quarters of people aged 66-plus spent their winter fuel payment on fuel-related costs such as heating their homes, hot water and running household appliances last year, according to Age UK (Yui Mok/PA) - (PA Archive)

More than three-quarters (77%) of pensioners spent their winter fuel payment on fuel-related costs such as heating their homes, hot water and running household appliances last year, according to Age UK.

Nearly a quarter (24%) spent their winter fuel payment on cooking meals, the charity found.