A PUBLIC health emergency could be caused by the axing of winter fuel payments for most pensioners, charities warned today. 

Pensioners will see their energy bills increase by 15 per cent in real terms compared to last year, thanks to Labour’s decision to cut the payments. 

Payments of up to £300 to help with heating bills were previously available to anyone above state pension age. 

But last month, after criticising the Tories for leaving behind £22 billion in “unfunded commitments,” Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the fuel payments would be abolished for most pensioners, with only those who receive pension credit and means-tested benefits continuing to receive them.

Fifty charities have signed a letter to Ms Reeves asking the government to reconsider its decision.

The letter said that the policy had the potential to create a “public health emergency,” because living in cold, damp homes is particularly harmful to older people with a disability, a long-term health condition or poor mental health.

“It results in these people turning to an NHS that is already under stress and, in some cases, can result in additional winter deaths,” the charities said.

Jonathan Bean from Fuel Poverty Action said that cutting the payments was a “reckless move” that would cause widespread suffering and increased NHS admissions.

He said: “Instead we need an energy pricing system that guarantees everyone the essential energy they need to stay warm and safe.”

Jenna Fansa of Hackney Foodbank told of witnessing a 95 per cent increase in older people using the facility.

She said: “For many, it’s a choice between having the heating on or going hungry.”

Independent Age head of policy Morgan Vine noted the low take-up of pension credit —  just 63 per cent.

She said: “This means up to a staggering 1.2 million older people who are eligible could be missing out on money they need to turn their heating on.

“On top of this, every day we hear from older people who just miss out on pension credit but still struggle to pay their energy bills. 

“They could now be heading into winter without this important lifeline.” 

Members of the public have been asked to write to their local MP through the Independent Age website urging the government to reverse the policy.