Labour faces legal action for cut to winter fuel payments

The UK’s biggest trade union has warned elderly people will die as a result of Labour’s decision to scrap winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners, as it launched a legal challenge against the change.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Unite has accused the government of acting unlawfully over its move to means test the payment, which is expected to affect around 10 million pensioners. The decision, which Rachel Reeves said was needed to plug a £22bn black hole in the public finances, will axe the payment of up to £300 for all pensioners except those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

But union Unite has called on the Department for Work and Pensions to reverse the change, sending a pre-action protocol letter to secretary of state Liz Kendall. It has given Ms Kendall’s department until 7 November to reverse the policy change, warning that it will ask the High Court to mount a full judicial review if not.