OLDER people in the Bradford district face their "toughest winter yet", according to a charity.

Bosses at Age UK Bradford District have voiced concerns about the potentially "devastating" impacts of changes to winter fuel payments and rising energy bills.

In September, the Government won a vote on its plans to remove winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners in England and Wales.

The decision means that only those on Pension Credit or some other benefits in England and Wales will receive winter fuel payments, saving around £1.5 billion a year.

Meanwhile, typical gas and electricity prices rose by 10 per cent on October 1.

Mark Rounding, chief executive of Age UK Bradford District, said: "Year on year it's getting tougher for older people to live comfortably - and this year sees a drastic change for many older people in Bradford district. 

"We see a huge uptake in our services each year - and we are bracing ourselves for a busy winter period, especially since many older people will be losing their winter fuel payment."

According to recent research by Age UK, more than 12,500 older people across the Bradford district could still keep the payment this winter because they are known to be eligible for Pension Credit but do not currently claim it.  

The charity said it had already experienced a 227 per cent increase in the number of older people it is helping to access Pension Credit. 

A spokesperson for Age UK Bradford District said: "Many who had come to rely on this essential support to heat their homes will now be left in the cold. 

"The knock-on effects on their health, well-being and quality of life could be devastating."

They added: "With energy prices increasing again, many elderly people in Bradford are being forced to choose between heating their homes and buying food. 

"As temperatures drop, the reality for many is stark - surviving the winter could become a matter of life and death."

Age UK Bradford District has now set up an online fundraising page - https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/winter24 - so people can help the charity to support older people through the winter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "The dire state of the public finances we inherited from the previous Government means we've had to make some very difficult decisions.

"We want pensioners to get the support they are entitled to. That's why I urge all pensioners to check whether they are eligible for Pension Credit." 

A Government spokesperson added: "We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

"Anyone who makes a successful claim for Pension Credit and meets the winter fuel payment eligibility criteria will receive their payment, and we are deploying additional staff to process the expected increase in claims.

"Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost Pension Credit take up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims.

"Many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills."