Winter fuel fury as the price of energy rises even higher than feared

LABOUR is facing fresh pressure over winter fuel payment cuts after the energy price cap went up again.

- Katie Harris

Regulator Ofgem announced that average bills for households in England, Scotland and Wales will increase by 6.4% from £1,738 to £1,849 from April 1.

Campaigners raised fears over the impact on pensioners stripped of the winter fuel allowance.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said the bills hike was "terrible news for older people and yet another blow for those on low or modest fixed incomes who lost their winter fuel payment when they really couldn't afford it".

She added: "The fact that all the experts are saying the cost of energy is likely to keep on rising will strike real fear in the hearts of many pensioners, who are still grap-pling with the challenge of getting through this winter."