THE number of pensioners in Warrington that received their winter fuel allowance last winter has been revealed.

Figures have been published by the Department for Work and Pensions which show how many residents received the grant.

It follows the Labour Government’s announcement that it is scrapping winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

From this autumn, pensioners not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get annual winter fuel payments, worth between £100 and £300.

The move has widely been criticised by opposition MPs and constituents across the country.

Figures show that in Warrington North over the winter of 2023/24, 17,762 residents claimed winter fuel allowance, as well as 18,131 people living in Warrington South.

Lymm now falls under Tatton, with no figures available for the village itself, but the constituency as a whole saw payments made to 21,765 people.

Following the announcement, a Conservative motion to annul the Government’s cuts to winter fuel payments came before the House of Commons.

However, this was defeated earlier this month by 348 votes to 228, with a majority of 120.

Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols and Warrington South MP Sarah Hall, both representing Labour, both voted against the Conservative motion.

Tatton MP Esther McVey, a Conservative, voted in favour of the motion.

In her Warrington Guardian column this month, Ms Nichols said: “Due to the financial situation inherited from the previous Conservative Government, there was a projected overspend in the public finances of £22billion for this year.

“If unaddressed this would have increased the budget deficit by 25 per cent.

“As a result, we need to make tough decisions and fix the foundations of our economy. This will help us secure a brighter future and ensure public services get the investment needed.”

Ms Hall meanwhile previously said: “It was not decision I wanted to make, it wasn't a decision we expected to make, and it wasn't a decision we should have had to make.

“Unfortunately, after 14 years of chaos, our country's finances have been left in a shambles. The previous government are directly responsible.

“This has not been an easy decision for me to make, but to deliver the public services we all rightly expect and deserve, we must fix the foundations of our economy.

“There are no easy solutions and unfortunately there are many tough decisions.”

Ms McVey said: “Millions of pensioners, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet, are being sacrificed in this political strategic game.

“This Government has been telling pensioners it did not want to do this, but that tough financial decisions must be made. But we all know that is poppycock.

“That wasn’t the Government’s message to the already highly paid train drivers. When they met them, money was no object – have as much as you want.

“The public are not as stupid as the Government thinks they are.”