Figures have revealed that tens of thousands in Swindon could lose out on winter fuel payments following the proposed cuts. 

They also show that the number of people in the Parliamentary constituencies of Swindon North and South set to lose out easily outweighs the majority of the two Labour MPs who voted for the cut.

Under new rules announced by the recently elected Labour government winter fuel allowance, worth £200 a winter, or £300 for those over 80, will be withdrawn from all but the poorest pensioners.

The payments will only continue to those who are also on pension credit.

Figures released by the Department of Work & Pensions show that across the two Swindon constituencies, which cover nearly all the borough apart from Wanborough, Wroughton and Chiseldon, 32,230 people receive the fuel top-up payments.

The department actually released the figures broken down by  Parliamentary constituency.

In Swindon North there are 16,357 recipients, and in Swindon South 15,683.

That may give pause to Swindon’s Labour MPs, both newly elected in July, who found themselves voting for the cut just a few weeks ago,

When elected, Swindon North MP Will Stone won his seat by just 4,103 votes over the sitting Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson. A majority dwarfed by the number of pensioners who are likely to lose their winter top-up payments.

The difference in Swindon South where Heidi Alexander won her seat from Sir Robert Buckland by 9,606 votes is less stark – but the 15,863 recipients of the fuel payments still handily outweigh her majority.

After voting for the controversial cuts in Parliament recently both MPs said it was made necessary by the state of the public finances left by the outgoing government.

Ms Alexander, now a minister in the Ministry of Justice said: “It’s not a decision I wanted to take or expected to take when I stood for election 10 weeks ago.

It’s sadly the case though that on taking office in July, the new Chancellor discovered massive overspends in government departments racked up by outgoing Conservative ministers and she had to take immediate action.

“With our commitment to the triple lock on the state pension being worth £900 this year and a likely further £400 next year, I felt it was right to support the Chancellor in her very hard decision to restrict the winter fuel payment to the poorest pensioners.”

Mr Stone said: “Under the last Labour government pensioner poverty reduced dramatically – there were around 900,000 fewer pensioners in poverty by 2009. Under this government I am confident we will reduce the impacts of poverty for the most vulnerable – that’s why we are committed to maintaining the triple lock on pensions, with an increase of £905 this year alone.

The local Labour party in Swindon estimates that 3,090 pensioners in the borough could be eligible for pension credits and therefore the winter fuel allowance but have not applied.

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of the borough’s Labour councillors said: ”Swindon Labour is determined to get as many local pensioners signed up for Pension Credit as we can. It’s worth around £4,000 a year and signing up has never been easier.”

To apply for pension credit people will need details of their National Insurance number, information about any income, savings and investments they have, and those of their partner if applicable.

The applicant will also need their bank account details.

An application can be made online at gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim or by phone on 0800 99 1234

To apply by post, print off a form from the website, or request one on the phone line and when filled in, send it to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3