PENSIONERS will hold emergency debates next week on the government’s shock decision to abolish universal winter fuel payments.

Up to £300 was previously available to anyone of state pension age.

But last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that, in future, only those on pension credit and other means-tested benefits would qualify.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, the annual meeting of the National Pensioners’ Convention will hear experts outline the decision’s disastrous consequences. 

General secretary Jan Shortt said: “We are inviting older people to come to our annual convention in Blackpool to show the strength of anger and anxiety felt by millions at this ill-conceived cut by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

“We don’t believe she and the Prime Minister have fully understood the impact this decision will have upon older people who are already struggling to make ends meet, especially now we know the new fuel price cap is going to push up their bills by a staggering 10 per cent from October.

“There are already more than two million older people known to be living in poverty and millions more just above the breadline who regularly must decide between eating and heating their homes.”

The convention, taking place at Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel, will also discuss the need for an ageing strategy, the challenges posed by the digital world and the growing privatisation of NHS and care services.

There will also be a debate, featuring guest speakers from environmental campaigns, on how older and young people must work together to tackle climate change.