MORE than 200,000 people in Cheshire received winter fuel payments last year.

New statistics released by the Department for Work and Pensions has revealed how many pensioners received financial support during the 2023-24 winter.

Across the country, 11.6 million people received a tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 - a figure that has steadily increased in recent years.

This includes 21,765 people in the Conservative Tatton constituency, made up of areas such as Knutsford, Wilmslow, Barnton and Alderley Edge.

The Government’s recent decision to means-test the payment will result in it being taken away from around 10 million previously eligible pensioners.

Tatton MP Esther McVey was one of 228 MPs to oppose the plan.

She said: “The decision to remove the winter fuel allowance from 10 million pensioners was bad enough - especially given that they did it without being honest about it at the election - but to do so without any kind of impact assessment is appalling and callous.

“They will never be forgiven for this betrayal of our pensioners."

Cheshire recipients of winter fuel payments in 2023-24 by parliamentary constituency

  • Cheshire Mid (Lab) 16,565

  • Chester North & Neston (Lab) 19,283

  • Chester South & Eddisbury (Con) 22,296

  • Congleton (Lab) 21,380

  • Crewe & Nantwich (Lab) 19,995

  • Ellesmere Port & Bromborough (Lab) 17,318

  • Macclesfield (Lab) 21,769

  • Runcorn & Helsby (Lab) 18,742

  • Tatton (Con) 21,765

  • Warrington North (Lab) 17,762

  • Warrington South (Lab) 18,131

  • Widnes & Halewood (Lab) 16,553