The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners to check if they are eligible for pension credit after the cut in the winter fuel payment for up to 10 million pensioners was announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves on 29 July.

The winter fuel payment was worth up to £300 a year and was paid to all pensioners regardless of income. Now only those on pension credit or benefits will be paid the support payment.

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.

‘Our commitment to supporting pensioners remains, which is why we are maintaining the triple lock.