A Labour-led council representing some of Britain’s poorest pensioners has voted unanimously to condemn Rachel Reeves’ cut to Winter Fuel Payments, and is now set to write to the Chancellor demanding a u-turn.

Yesterday evening Stockton Council passed a motion warning that the cuts are “deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and well-being of our poorest older residents.”

The motion, put forward by the Conservative group, warned that the Government’s approach “fails to consider the administrative barriers and stigma that prevent our eligible pensioners from claiming Pension Credit, leaving many without the support they desperately need.”

The motion, backed by all council members including the Labour leader Bob Cook, said that Winter Fuel Payments have helped older residents across Stockton and UK avoid having to choose between heating and eating, and safeguarded their health over previous years.

The council added they are “deeply concerned that the vast majority of our pensioners who do not meet this threshold will now not receive the payments”.

“In Stockton Borough, the number of our pensioners affected by the change in eligibility

criteria is 30,234. That means 87% of our pensioners currently eligible for winter fuel

payments will no longer be able to claim the payment from this winter onwards.”

The Labour group initially attempted to put forward their own motion, which called for a pause to Winter Fuel changes this year only, and called on the Government to devise a more graduated threshold so poor pensioners above the Pension Credit level don’t lose out on all the Winter Fuel payment.

However this was voted down by the council, and Labour members then proceeded to vote for the damning Tory motion.

As a result, Labour Council leader Bob Cook will now write to Rachel Reeves calling for the policy to be “immediately reversed”.

The motion also instructs councillor Cook to write to the three local MPs, Matt Vickers, Chris McDonald and Andy McDonald to ask them to give their support to reversing the Winter Fuel cuts.

Reacting to last night’s vote, local Conservative MP Matt Vickers told the Express: “Even Labour councillors can see how callous and unjust this move is.”

“These councillors have probably spoken to many of the same residents as me. Residents whose parents and grandparents are struggling to meet the rising costs of energy and are infuriated by this betrayal of those who’ve worked all their lives and paid into the system.

“They see this government taking from pensioners on as little as £13k a year whilst giving a pay rise of up to £10k to train drivers on £65k.

“It’s rotten, it stinks and many of those who campaigned to put Starmer’s Labour government in power now seem embarrassed to be associated with it.”

The news from Stockton comes as it was revealed this morning that the Treasury is sitting on a poverty impact assessment of the policy, in contravention of claims from Sir Keir Starmer.

Laura Trott MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “It is disgraceful that the Treasury has a hidden analysis, which they are refusing to publish, which will show the terrible impact on 10 million pensioners of the cruel decision to scrap winter fuel payments.

“Once again, this is more damning analysis that the Labour government did everything they could to hide from the public and parliament – but they cannot hide from the consequences. They must now do the right thing and publish it immediately.”