KEIGHLEY'S Conservative MP has condemned the decision to strip all but poorest pensioners of winter fuel payments.

Robbie Moore hit out after the Labour Government won the vote, by 348 to 228, on its plan to restrict payments to just those on the lowest incomes.

He says that as a result, around 64,000 pensioners in the Bradford district will lose up to £300.

Mr Moore has vowed to lobby the Government to change its plans.

He said in the Commons: "To strip this support away is not just a fiscal misstep, it is a moral failing.

"The Government may speak of tough choices, but after this vote, the real tough choice will be for pensioners – whether to heat their homes or go without.

"I’m proud to have stood on the right side of this argument, with the support of Age UK, Citizens Advice, the Centre for Ageing Better and hundreds of charities all in opposition to scrapping these vital payments.

"It is worrying that the former chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, Shipley’s new MP Anna Dixon, was the only MP in Bradford district to vote specifically to cut the winter fuel payment following the debate."

Ms Dixon told the Keighley News that the decision to means test winter fuel payments was "not made lightly".

She added: "The new Government inherited an even worse financial situation from the Conservatives than was expected.

"I have listened carefully to pensioners who have contacted me expressing their concern about losing this support. Having spent 25 years working in public health and with older people, I am deeply concerned about the impact of pensioner poverty and fuel poverty on health.

"Be assured that the poorest pensioners will continue to receive winter fuel payments. There are estimated to be 1,160 pensioners in Shipley constituency who are eligible for pension credit, but have yet to apply. I urge everyone to speak to their family members and friends to check if they are entitled and support them to apply. This Government is doing more than any previous Government to promote the uptake of pension credit.

"I have secured a commitment from the Government that it will work with housing associations and supported accommodation providers to ensure their residents know what they are entitled to and to make sure frontline NHS staff signpost older patients who may be housebound because of disabilities and chronic conditions."