RADSTOCK residents have spoken about Labour’s ‘heartbreaking’ and controversial decision to cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners.

Julie Stokes, who works at Age UK, has described the situation as ‘sad’ while another resident believes there are people who do not receive the benefit who ought to.

Changes announced by the Labour Government will see roughly 780,000 pensioners across the country lose the benefit, according to the party’s own analysis, which it claims will save an estimated £1.4billion.

The fuel allowance gives pensioners a lump sum to help them pay for the cost of heating over winter.

Julie Stokes, who works at the Age UK charity shop in Radstock, is passionate in her opposition to the decision and highlighted some of the other struggles being faced by pensioners.

She said: “If they’re living off pensions, which are not good enough anyway in my opinion for what they’ve done for the country, they’re having to shop locally, and the prices in local shops are so much higher than supermarkets.

“A lot of them won’t be able to access the internet, so they can’t shop online, and they like to pay by cash, it’s the easiest way to budget. Buses around here are poorly serviced, they rarely turn up.

“And then, losing their winter fuel payments, they’re going to be cold and hungry and not able to get out. There are very few services like community centres for people to go and get warm and meet other people for mental support.

“It’s just a really sad state. It breaks my heart.”

Carol Warriner, who works at Rebecca’s flower shop in Radstock, believes if the government is adamant this policy should be implemented, then a more gradual approach should be taken.

She said: “I’ve lost my winter fuel payment this winter, I think it’s very wrong. I think they should have paid out this winter, and started to reduce it next winter.

“There are going to be a lot of pensioners who are going to be very cold because of this, so they’re going to have to decide between eating and keeping warm.”

One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, believes the winter fuel payment should be means tested.

They said: “I don’t actually agree with everyone getting it, actually. I think there are a lot of people who need it, but don’t get it, and a lot of people who do get it, that don’t need it.”

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said he voted for Labour for the first time at the most recent general election but vows to never do so again.

Richard Kesteven, a Labour supporter and a committee member for the Radstock Working Men’s Club, says “When they (parties) get voted in, they have to raise funds somehow. And it seems they have to tax the people who voted them in.

“As a Labour voter, I accept that is a traditional way of how that it is done. However, I’m not too sure about how popular policies are going to be.

“Although I appreciate the difficulties, it’s harsh on the elderly.”