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24
Sept
6,000 over-80s in Harrogate and Knaresborough set to lose winter fuel payments, says MP
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has said 6,014 people aged over 80 in his constituency are at risk of losing winter fuel payments.
The Liberal Democrat said the figure was based on the number of people in that age group not in receipt of pension credit and who will therefore lose the £300 payment unless they receive other benefits.
Mr Gordon urged the new Labour government to “change course” and “protect vulnerable pensioners” who he said faced a choice between heating and eating this winter.
He said:
Thousands of pensioners here in Harrogate and Knaresborough are desperately worried about how they will make it through this winter. I am particularly concerned about those older pensioners, and these figures are deeply worrying.
Cutting these payments for thousands of my constituents, including many that are barely getting by, is the completely wrong thing to be doing.
It is not too late for this new government to change course, reverse these proposals and protect vulnerable pensioners here in Harrogate and Knaresborough this winter.
A total of 20,198 pensioners in Harrogate and Knaresborough do not receive pension credit and are at risk of losing support due to the government’s cuts, said Mr Gordon.
Age UK has said 2.5 million pensioners will “be in serious trouble” this winter due to the cutting of the payments.
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