Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, has criticised the Labour Government’s decision to restrict Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit or other means tested benefits and called it a “cruel and callous act”.

Figures from the independent House of Commons Library show that around 21,240 pensioners in Hinckley and Bosworth would lose out on this important payment. Dr Evans has urged the Labour Government to reconsider, given the scale of the impact.

On Monday 29th July the new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves imposed the restriction on Winter Fuel Payments, which were worth up to £300 per year to pensioners under the previous Conservative Government.

A statement from Age UK states “there are also about 1,000,000 pensioners whose weekly incomes are less than £50 above the poverty line, who will also be hit hard by the loss of the Payment. Older people in this group often tell us they really struggle financially; the proposed change will make it even harder for them to afford to stay warm.”

Dr Evans strongly criticised the decision, citing the “cruel impact it will have on thousands of pensioners in Hinckley and Bosworth, and millions across the country. Labour’s hypocrisy is clear to see, after all it was only a couple of months ago that Starmer was arguing for it not to be means tested!”

Both the new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have previously stated the importance of protecting pensioners with Starmer saying, in May 2024, that “there are some pensioners just above pension credit levels who [would] suffer from the withdrawal of the Winter Fuel Payment.” The GP-turned-MP said “Starmer’s past comments signalled support to pensioners, but we now know them to be an empty promise. I’m sorry that pensioners will bear the brunt of Labour’s decision to play politics.”

Pension Credit is the UK’s most underclaimed benefit with Age UK, which has widely criticised the withdrawal of the payments as “disastrous” and “a social injustice”, reporting that there are over 1,000 pensioners in Hinckley and Bosworth who are eligible for the gateway benefit but not receiving it.

Dr Evans is urging those pensioners worried about the changes to check their eligibility for pension credit.

To be eligible a single pensioner must be receiving less than £218.25 a week or under £332.95 for couples. This amount could be higher if you're disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.

Pension Credit can be claimed online, over the phone or by completing a form. Information is available via www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

When applying please ensure that you have access to your National Insurance number, bank details and information about your savings.

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said “One of Labour’s first acts in Government was to remove support for thousands of pensioners across our community. Previous comments by the new Prime Minister and Chancellor indicated they knew the importance of protecting Winter Fuel Payments, to restrict it so widely is nothing short of a short sighted attack on those who can’t increase their income.

“I have written to the Chancellor urging her to reconsider and increase the eligibility level for Pension Credit by £50 to incorporate the 1,000,000 people across the country who will miss out on this increasingly valuable support.

“I urge every pensioner across our area who thinks they may be eligible for Pension Credit to apply, and sincerely hope that Labour rethink this policy.”