LIBERAL Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, has backed a motion in Parliament to block government plans to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners. 

It comes as new analysis shows an estimated 22,900 pensioners in both towns are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months.

This is the estimated number of pensioners in the constituency who don't receive pension credit, and so will lose the winter fuel allowance under the government’s plans unless they receive other benefits. The figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library based on data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

If passed, the Liberal Democrat motion would protect local pensioners by blocking the government’s changes and restoring their winter fuel payments. It is set to be tabled as soon as Parliament returns next week and has been backed by all 72 Liberal Democrat MPs.

Across the country, 11 million pensioners are set to lose their winter fuel payment under the government’s plans, including two million that the charity Age UK has said will struggle to afford their energy bills as a result. This is despite the average energy bill being set to rise by £149 a year from October.

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to think again to protect poorer and more vulnerable pensioners from being forced to choose between eating and heating this winter.

Mrs Gilmour said: “I’ve heard from countless pensioners across this constituency worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter. 

“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners here just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong. It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter.

“That is why my fellow Liberal Democrat MPs and i will do everything we can to block these plans.

“I recognise the new government faces difficult choices after the appalling mess left by the Conservatives. A rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners in our community continue to get the support they desperately need.”