West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has highlighted the plight of a local pensioner who is confined to a single room following the Government’s raid on Winter Fuel Payments.

Last winter, there were 27,000 recipients of the Winter Fuel Payment in West Worcestershire. However, in last October’s Budget, the £300 benefit was withdrawn from all but the poorest pensioners who claimed Pension Credit before December’s deadline.

At a Westminster Hall debate last week, Dame Harriett voiced concerns about an elderly constituent who, unable to afford energy bills, heats only one room in his home after having the Winter Fuel Payment taken away. She also called on the Government to protect the 44,000 terminally ill people nationally that have also lost out.

Dame Harriett said:

“The cut to Winter Fuel Payments is a major issue in my postbag and I know of many older constituents, living in draughty rural houses who have really struggled to heat their homes this winter.

“Under the previous Government, the Triple Lock was introduced to ensure dignity in retirement and pensioners were over £1000 better off after inflation in 2024 than in 2010.

“One of this Government’s first actions was to snatch away vital support for older people, which risks plunging millions into fuel poverty and putting more pressure on our NHS and charities. I am worried that the Chancellor is picking on easy targets by attacking pensioners, family farms and small businesses with her cruel and misguided Budget.

“It is clear to me that the Treasury needs to look again at the decision to means-test this payment and ensure vulnerable households are protected.”