'Reeves must delay cuts to winter fuel payment or force OAPs to choose either heating or eating'

A LABOUR grandee has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to delay axing the winter fuel payment.

- Katie Harris

Lord Foulkes warned many pensioners will "face a difficult choice between heating and eating this winter" if the controversial move goes ahead.

The peer co-chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Ageing and Older People - said: "I believe postponing the cut altogether would be the wisest and most compassionate option.

"With a year, or more, of warning, pensioners would have time to save and prepare for losing this vital payment, and Government would be able to address the longstanding issues with pension credit eligibility and uptake.

"The updated energy price cap will be enough of a burden to contend with, as families face an average increase of 10% to their bills.

"Labour should see this as an opportunity to model our new Government of change.

"After years of out-of-touch elitism, we can demonstrate this Government really listens and has enough faith in its vision to course correct when needed." The Labour peer argued reform is needed to winter fuel payments, which were previously available to all pensioners.

But he warned that cutting off the support with little notice "will leave thousands of pensioners at risk this winter".