TATTON MP Esther McVey has slammed the Government’s ‘cruel’ decision to end winter fuel payments to nearly 10 million pensioners.

The former Tory Work and Pensions Secretary is now demanding chancellor Rachel Reeves makes a U-turn.

Only pensioners in receipt of pension credit or means tested benefit will be eligible.

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Treasury figures show the winter fuel changes will see the numbers of pensioners receiving the payments reduced from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.

Ms McVey: “I have been clear from the start about my opposition to this cruel policy and I will continue to speak out against it.

“Our pensioners deserve better than this and with cynicism in politics running at a record high this decision by Labour, one of the first it made when it came to power, whilst at no stage mentioning it during the general election, only adds into that cynicism.

“Labour needs to reverse this decision now and restore the winter fuel allowance to all pensioners.”

A petition started by Age UK has recorded more than 410,000 signatures.

More than 50 organisations have also written to the Chancellor about this decision.

The groups, which make up the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said it will result in pensioners not on means-tested benefits seeing a 15 per cent increase in their energy bills this winter.

To sign the petition visit campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/page/154268/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=Website.

Ms McVey said: “I have added my name to the petition and I hope others will too so we can send a clear message to the new Government that targeting our pensioners is not something we will stand for.

“For many people their only source of income is the state pension and now they will not get this much needed extra help.

“This is money that helped ensure they could heat their homes in the winter.

“It is a disastrous decision by Rachel Reeves and one people will not forgive or forget.

“I have been in touch with many of the organisations that are fighting this and will continue to offer my full support to them.

“I am also urging other MPs to follow suit.

“We all have many constituents that will be affected by this and must do everything we can to stop it happening.”