Thousands of hard-up pensioners will go cold this winter because of Labour's 'cruel decision'

DOZENS of MPs have slammed Rachel Reeves's decision to axe the winter fuel payments to pensioners as "immoral", "shameless" and "chilling" while backing an Express crusade for a U-turn.

- Christain Calgie and Steph Spyro

Politicians from the Conservative, Reform, Green, Lib Dem and Plaid Cymru parties have set aside their differences to support nearly 10 million elderly robbed of their lifeline.

Tory Dame Priti Patel tore into Ms Reeves's decision as "nasty and immoral", accusing the Chancellor of turning a "blind eye to those who have worked all their lives and just want to retire in dignity".

Party leader hopeful Dame Priti added: "That's why I am backing the Express's campaign to urge the Chancellor to reverse this shameless and cruel decision."

Ms Reeves stripped millions of pensioners of their winter fuel allowance last month worth £200 a year, or £300 for over-80s - despite the double whammy of increased energy bills and rising inflation this winter.

Gas and electric bills are set to increase by around £155 this winter, to an estimated £1,723.06 a year. And Wednesday's inflation figures showed an uptick to 2.2% in July above the Government's 2% target. Lib Dem MP Ben Maguire highlighted how older voters in rural areas such as his North Cornwall constituency will be "hit hard by this callous decision".

He said the move is short-sighted while energy bills "are still extremely high including for fuel for those not connected to the mains gas grid".