Over 8,000 over-80s in Honiton & Sidmouth are at risk of losing Winter Fuel Payments due to the Government’s cuts, the latest official statistics released on September 24 have revealed.  

Liberal Democrats have called on the new Government to “change course” in the face of these new statistics, saying that ministers must “protect vulnerable pensioners” with thousands at risk of not being able to keep warm this winter. 

Analysis of the new data shows that in Honiton & Sidmouth, 8,141 pensioners aged over 80 who were previously in receipt of pension credit will lose their Winter Fuel Payment, unless they can receive other benefits.  

All those aged over 80 were previously entitled to £300 each to support them with their energy bills, to stay warm during the winter months, but many will now lose this money. 

In total, 25,921 pensioners in Honiton & Sidmouth do not receive pension credit and are also at risk of losing support due to the Government’s cuts. 

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

Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, Richard Foord said: 

“Thousands of people in Mid- and East Devon are desperately worried about how they will make ends meet this winter. Vulnerable older pensioners shouldn’t be racked with worry; these figures are deeply worrying.  

“I 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 for thousands who are barely getting by, is the wrong decision. 

“It is not too late for the Government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners in Devon this winter.” 

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the Government has “done more to help the poorest pensioners in the last two months than the Tories did in 14 years” as she defended the cuts.

She said: “Focusing winter fuel payments on the poorest pensioners wasn’t a decision we wanted or expected to make, but when we promised we could be trusted with taxpayers’ money – we meant it.

“And when we were faced with a £22 billion black hole, which the Tories left this year, we had to act, because we know what happened when Liz Truss played fast and loose with the public finances. It was working people and pensioners on fixed incomes who paid the highest price.

“We took what I know is a difficult decision, but let me tell you, this Labour Government has done more to help the poorest pensioners in the last two months than the Tories did in 14 years.

“The biggest ever drive to get pensioners on pension credit, backed by our commitment to the pensions triple lock. This will increase the state pension by an estimated £1,700 this parliament, with an extra £6 billion of funding forecast next year.”