AN MP has condemned cuts to winter fuel payments that will see over 21,000 of his constituents worser off. 

Nigel Huddleston has condemned the Labour Government's decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, including 21,661 in Droitwich and Evesham.

With 23,438 people aged 66 and over in the Droitwich and Evesham constituency, many local pensioners now face a winter without this vital financial support.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Huddleston said: "The Labour Government claims they had no choice but to cut winter fuel payments, but the reality is that this was always part of their plan.

"Local pensioners who have worked hard all their lives deserve better than to have their much-needed winter support cut, especially when there are other spending choices the government could have made. 

"The Winter Fuel payments are expected to save them £1.5billion yet within weeks of coming to Power Labour have splurged £10 billion on inflation busing pay increases, £8 billion on an GB Energy and £7 billion on a so called National Wealth Fund."

On March 25 2014 Rachel Reeves said in the House of Commons: “We are the party who have said that we will cut the winter fuel allowance for the richest pensioners and means-test that benefit to save money.” 

Mr Huddleston said that this statement makes it clear that Labour planned to take winter fuel allowances away from pensioners all along.

Previously, a Government spokesperson said: “We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

"That’s why, through our commitment to protect the triple lock, over 12 million pensioners could see their state pension increase by almost a thousand pounds over the next five years.

“But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right that we target support to those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy.

"Over a million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment and eligible pensioners will also be able to benefit from the £150 warm home discount scheme from October to help with their energy bills over winter."