Winter fuel payment claims skyrocket after Labour changes – but 50% of pensioners rejected

Around 150,000 people have applied for pension credit since the Chancellor announced the means testing of the winter fuel payment (Yui Mok/PA) - (PA Wire)

Pensioners have been racing to secure the winter fuel payment, new statistics show, as the massive rise in the number of applications since Labour’s changes is revealed.

Since April 1, there have been 215,200 applications for Pension Credit, of which 161,800 have been processed, leaving a backlog of 53,400.