MORE than a third of pensioners will find it difficult to manage financially following Labour’s cruel decision to axe universal winter fuel payments, research found yesterday.

In the survey by Age UK, one in 10 said they would have to reduce the number of hot meals they eat.

And more than half (55 per cent) said they would have to turn down or reduce the hours they use heating at home.

The winter fuel payments were previously paid to all pensioners, but in July Labour announced that they would become means-tested as part of measures to plug a £22 billion “black hole” in the public finances left by the previous Tory government. 

The policy is expected to affect 10 million pensioners.

Age UK’s survey of more than 1,000 people over the age of 66, found that nearly a quarter spent the payment on cooking meals. 

More than half (53 per cent) among those who are not eligible for the payment, but are in receipt of other benefits such as housing benefit, council tax support or carer’s allowance, said they expected to struggle to manage without it.

The figures were published as charity Marie Curie called for a guaranteed winter fuel payment for anyone with a terminal illness.

James Sanderson, chief executive at charity Sue Ryder, warned that the cold weather could mean that many terminally ill people could “die before they should.”

He said: “They desperately need more support through social energy tariffs and compensation schemes to help with the increased costs of keeping their home warm and running the essential medical devices they rely on.”

A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.”