Over 100,000 pensioners in Wiltshire could be affected by the cuts to winter fuel payments.

Intended to help the elderly with heating costs over the winter, the annual payment has been in place since 1997.

Under plans from the new Labour government, the money will now only be given to the poorest pensioners, those who receive pension credit.

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The WFP is £200 or £300, depending on age.The WFP is £200 or £300, depending on age. (Image: Getty) Whereas it used to be paid to everyone, regardless of income or wealth, the number of recipients is now expected to reduce from more than 11 million to about 1.5 million.

The Department for Work & Pensions has published the number of people who received the winter fuel payment in 2023/24.

In Wiltshire, the highest number of recipients was in the constituency of Melksham and Devizes, with 22,437 pensioners benefitting from the money.

In South West Wiltshire, there were 20,715 recipients receiving winter fuel payments, whilst there were 18,695 in East Wiltshire and 18,557 in Chippenham.

There were 21,600 recipients in Salisbury, 21,837 recipients in South Cotswolds, 16,367 recipients in Swindon North and 15,863 recipients in Swindon South.

Labour has said this is part of a series of cuts designed to plug a £22bn hole in the finances left by the previous government, which the Conservatives deny.