The Labour MP Rosie Duffield says scrapping the winter fuel payment for all pensioners in England and Wales is a “brutal” decision, which, she fears, could lead to people to die.
The government announced in July plans to scrap winter fuel payments of up to £300 for pensioners in England and Wales unless they are in receipt of most means-tested benefits. Up to 10 million people are at risk of losing the payment, which was introduced by the Labour government in 1997.