WINTER FUEL PENSIONERS NOW FACING 'DRASTIC CUTBACKS'

RACHEL Reeves was hit by fresh criticism after shock poll results revealed that pensioners stripped of winter fuel cash plan "drastic cutbacks" to food and hot water.

- Katie Harris and Steph Spyro

Nearly one in three OAPs losing the payment to pension credit now is misguided and will see far too many older people fall through the cracks. We strongly urge the UK Government to rethink this." Of the more than 2,000 people asked, 42% of over-65s said the payments should go to all pensioners on less than a certain income.

The Chancellor sparked a backlash in July as she revealed plans to limit the then-universal allowance.

She blamed the cut on a £22billion black hole in public finances left by the Tories which they deny.

Some 10 million OAPs will lose the cash, saving £1.5billion a year.

The cut has been condemned by charities, opposition parties and by some unions and Labour politicians, but Ms Reeves resisted pressure to perform a U-turn in her Budget on Wednesday.

Dennis Reed, director of over60s campaign group Silver Voices, said: "The Government is actually targeting older people.

"The Chancellor said absolutely nothing about the challenges facing older people this winter.