PLANS to remove winter fuel payments for the vast majority of Worcester pensioners have been called  'tough but necessary' by the city's new Labour MP.

MP Tom Collins reacted to plans announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe winter fuel payments for pensioners not on pension credit or other benefits. 

The controversial plans are predicted to affect over 10 million pensioners in England and Wales but are "necessary" according to Worcester MP Tom Collins to fill in a £22 billion gap in public finances.

Data analysed by Worcester News shows that 17,312 pensioners received a Winter Fuel Payment in 2022 while 1,836 received pension credit meaning the plans would see almost 90 per cent of Worcester's pensioners worse off.

Mr Collins said: "During the election campaign I spoke with so many people who were concerned about their household finances, but also the state of our public services and the state of our public finances.

"We are only now discovering just how disastrous the situation left by the previous Conservative government is.

"Commitments made without any budget backing have left us with a £22 billion gap in our public finances. 

"We have decided to give stability back to our public sector workers by accepting the independent Review Bodies’ pay recommendations.

"This is the kind of serious and meaningful decision we have promised to make and it comes alongside other tough decisions that need to be made on finances.

"Winter Fuel payments were previously totally untargeted, meaning that even the wealthiest pensioners were receiving them. Labour’s front bench took a tough but necessary decision to target these payments towards to those who need them most."

The plans were announced in July by the current chancellor and will come into effect from the autumn leaving many pensioners between £100 and £300 worse off.

Mr Collins continued: "These numbers don’t tell the whole story because a number of people who are entitled to Pension Credit (and therefore continuing winter fuel payments) don’t currently claim it.

"We are starting a new programme of collaborative work with local councils to make sure that those who are entitled to support know about it and get it.

"I would urge all pensioners currently receiving Housing Credit to make sure they are also claiming their Pension Credit. This way they will receive all the support they are entitled to, including continued winter fuel payments.

"This was a tough decision, but it was also one of the first steps toward achieving our key promises from the election, to rebuild our public sector and to get our public finances back under control in the fairest way possible."