LIB DEMS in Colchester fear more than 13,000 pensioners in the city will lose their winter fuel payment this year.

The Labour Government’s controversial plans to cut the universal annual tax free payment of up to £300 and restrict it to only those pensioners on benefits has sparked nationwide backlash from welfare groups, unions and opposition parties.

Figures released this week by the Department of Work and Pensions show the impact it will have on each constituency. In Colchester those pensioners receiving credit total 1,687 with 647 aged 80 plus. But the data shows 13,887 do not receive credit and therefore would not be eligible for any financial support towards their heating bills this winter, and of those 3,954 are aged over 80.

In total, £2,680,800 was paid out by the government in winter fuel costs to 15,574 pensioners in the city last year with 4,601 of those aged over 80 receiving £1,127,400. It means just 11% receive credit with 14% of that figure being over 80.

Age UK has previously said that 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments and the Liberal Democrats have called on the government to “reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners” this winter. 

Colchester spokesman Martin Goss said: “Thousands of pensioners here are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter. We are especially concerned about vulnerable older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying. 

“We have heard countless stories from those who now say they will have to choose between staying warm or putting food on the table as a result of this government’s decision.

“Cutting these payments, which will hit thousands of constituents in Colchester including many that are just barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.

“It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners this winter.”