More than 80,000 pensioners in Cheshire East are set to lose their winter fuel allowance under the Labour government's plans, the Conservatives have said.

The government has recently announced that, from this year, only those in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits will get the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300.

Leader of the Conservative group on Cheshire East Council, Cllr Janet Clowes, said analysis of Department for Work and Pensions figures show more than 80,000 people across the borough will be at least £250 worse off this winter and that many of these are in some of its most deprived areas.

Leader of the Conservative group on Cheshire East Council, Cllr Janet Clowes (Cheshire East Council).

She is calling for action to support low-income pensioners.

Cllr Clowes said: "Many of the 80,000 pensioners set to lose their winter fuel payment may have incomes just above the threshold for pension credit and these payments were a lifeline.

"Cheshire East Conservatives are deeply concerned about the impact on pensioners, especially those who are already finding it hard to make ends meet and where prices and council tax are still rising.

"For more than 20 years, both Labour and Conservative governments have committed to maintaining winter fuel payments, along with free NHS prescriptions and bus travel. This new approach is a bitter blow."

"The Labour-Independent leadership of Cheshire East Council is already committed to cuts in services that will further impact on the vulnerable elderly, including cutting the emergency assistance scheme and raising care costs, a significant financial outlay for many pensioners.

"We are asking that, at the very least, the Labour-led administration works with community partners across the borough to support pensioners to navigate this additional financial pressure, including claiming pension credit if they are eligible.

Over 80,000 people across Cheshire East will be at least £250 worse off this winter (LDRS).

"Whilst some pensioners in Cheshire East will cope without the winter fuel payment, it's clear this policy will have a far wider impact than currently acknowledged."

Nationally, around 10 million pensioners are expected to lose out on the winter fuel allowance.

When new chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the change, she said it was to fill a £22 billion 'black hole' left in the public purse by the former Conservative government.