NEW West Somerset and Exmoor MP Rachel Gilmour this week voted against the Labour Government’s plans to axe winter fuel payments for most pensioners.

But the cuts look set to go ahead after the Government won a Parliamentary vote with a majority of 120.

Mrs Gilmour was among 228 MPs who opposed stopping the payments of £200 and £300 to help pensioners with their winter heating costs.

Only the poorest pensioners, who also receive pension credit, will now be eligible for the Government support.

Mrs Gilmour said after the vote: “Thousands of pensioners across our communities will be left deeply worried about how they will get by this winter with this cut to the winter fuel payment.

“So many pensioners are already facing another winter of a cost of living crisis and this will make things worse.

“The damage left by the Conservatives to our economy is unforgivable, but cutting payments to vulnerable pensioners across our constituency is no way to bring about the change the country deserves. 

“I proudly opposed the Government and stood up for the many pensioners in the constituency who are now at risk of an even bigger winter cost of living crisis.

“Liberal Democrats will keep fighting this cut tooth and nail, we are fighting for the real change people want to see.”

Labour said it expected the cut would save £1.4 billion to help fill what it claimed was a £22 billion UK budget ‘black hole’ it inherited from the previous Conservative Government.