OLDER people, including one man from Penzance, set to lose the Winter Fuel Payment descended on Downing Street and The Treasury on October 16 to challenge plans to means test the entitlement.

Campaigners came with petitions of over 500,000 signatures backed by charities Independent Age, 38 Degrees, Silver Voices and Organise.

Among the campaigners was Robert Trewhella, 68, of Penzance who handed in the box of signatures to Downing Street.

He said: “I’m here today because I think this decision by the UK Government will hurt older people up and down the country. I miss out Pension Credit by just £2 so I will now have to navigate the winter without this money. I don’t think that’s fair. Hopefully those in charge take notice and realise that too many older people will struggle this winter without this payment. It’s not right to take money away from vulnerable members of society.

The group of organisations is calling on the UK government to protect the Winter Fuel Payment for older people living on low incomes. The hand-in was also supported by other organisations including End Fuel Poverty Coalition, National Pensions Convention, Warm This Winter and Fuel Poverty Action.

The latest UK government figures estimate that only 65 per cent of eligible older people receive Pension Credit, meaning up to 760,000 eligible households will lose the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

There is also real concern among the coalition for the older people whose income is just above the Pension Credit threshold. This group live on a low income but will still lose the Winter Fuel Payment.

Joanna Elson CBE, chief executive of Independent Age, said: “We hope the UK Government listens to the voices we’ve shared today and protects the Winter Fuel Payment for older people living on low incomes. It’s clear from the number of signatures that there is widespread concern about the plans. Tying the payment to Pension Credit will see far too many older people fall through the cracks.

“With winter around the corner, now is the time to bring older people on a low income back in from the cold.”