PENSIONERS in rural West Somerset communities could die as a result of losing winter fuel payments, Exmoor farmer and campaigner James Wright warned this week.

Mr Wright, who hopes to become an MP and chairs the South West Conservative Rural Forum, condemned the Government’s policy of removing the payments.

He said pensioners in rural communities often lived in older, less energy-efficient homes, many of which were built before 1980 and were harder and more expensive to heat due to poor insulation and outdated heating systems.

Mr Wright said the situation was made worse because many rural properties were not connected to the mains gas network and instead relied on more expensive off-grid heating sources such as oil, wood, or canister liquefied petroleum gas.

He said they often also suffered with isolation due to poor transport links and limited access to services, making it more difficult for pensioners to access alternative financial support, energy efficiency schemes, or healthcare services.

Mr Wright said: “The removal of winter fuel payments could push these vulnerable residents further into fuel poverty, with potentially devastating consequences.

“With heating oil prices increasing from 54p per litre in January, 2020, to 66p per litre today, the financial strain on rural pensioners has only intensified.

“Labour’s policy is regressive and backward.

“Removing the winter fuel payment will mean more pensioners will die from the cold this winter.”

Mr Wright called for local councils to condemn the policy, advocate for protecting their most vulnerable residents, and raise awareness of pension credit and other benefits.