Labour's winter fuel cuts spark 300% spike in calls to charity's helpline

cuts have sparked a 300% spike in calls about pension credit to a charity's helpline.

Independent Age said it has seen the huge jump since Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that the allowance would be restricted to only OAPs on the benefit in a bid to save money.

The charity received 2,961 calls to its helpline last month, of which 1,381 were related to pension credit.

It said it has been the most common issue raised every month since the controversial change was unveiled.

Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson said: "Across the country, older people are bracing for the cold months ahead, and many will lose the winter fuel payment despite living on a low income.

"Tying the payment to pension credit has caused widespread concern. October was the busiest month of the year for our helpline, and most callers wanted information on pension credit.

"The older people we speak to are frightened and are planning drastic cutbacks to get by.

"These include eating less, heating only one room and going to bed early. Having to live like this can be very detrimental to your physical and mental health.

"Our advisers and caseworkers are working hard to ensure older people are getting all the financial support they are entitled to, but the demand for our help just keeps growing."

The Labour Government has faced an ongoing backlash from opposition parties, charities and unions over changes to previously universal winter fuel payments.

Ministers have blamed a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied.

Polling by YouGov carried out for Independent Age showed 67% of pensioners set to lose the payments will cut back on heating, with more than one in five saying they will not turn it on at all.

Paula, 75, who recently contacted the charity's helpline, said: "That winter fuel payment was vital for me to get through the winter.

"Without it, I will have to choose, eat or heat. I have to eat to stay alive, so I'll have to keep the heating off and wear layers of clothes. It's a pretty grim situation to be in."

The policy means around 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the payments of up to £300 and is expected to save up to £1.5 billion.

But hundreds of thousands of OAPs will lose out because they are eligible for pension credit but do not claim it, despite a recent uptick in applications.

Campaigners have also raised fears about older people on the breadline who are just above the threshold to claim pension credit being forced to choose between heating or eating this winter.

Independent Age has partnered with crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to launch an to raise money for its helpline.

The charity's head of services Fran McSweeney said: "With the colder weather already closing in and cuts to the winter fuel payment, we're getting more and more calls from worried older people facing a very bleak winter.

"Our advisers and caseworkers are working hard to ensure older people are getting all the financial support they are entitled to, but the demand for our help just keeps growing.

"Any donation to our helpline would be hugely appreciated, we want to make sure nobody is left out in the cold this winter."

The Department for Work and Pensions was contacted for comment.