St Albans and Harpenden's MPs have spoken out against the government's decision to remove the winter fuel payment from all but the most vulnerable pensioners.

Parliament voted yesterday to cut the annual £300 state benefit by a margin of 348 to 228, despite strong opposition.

Labour say that the move is a difficult but necessary one, claiming they have been left with no choice by the previous Conservative government.

Liberal Democrat MPs voted against the Bill, including deputy leader and MP for St Albans Daisy Cooper.

She said: "Whilst there are undoubtedly some wealthier pensioners who readily admit they don’t need the help, introducing such tight restrictions on eligibility will leave millions of struggling pensioners without the support they need this winter.

“I’m acutely aware that many St Albans residents are very concerned about this proposed cut, and have already suffered hugely through the cost-of-living crisis.

“There’s no doubt that the Conservatives have left our economy in a terrible state and failed to tackle the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

"But, there are plenty of alternatives for the government to consider, from keeping the universal benefit and taxing it, to removing the universal nature of the benefit but expanding eligibility for pension credit.

“We cannot stand by and allow support to be revoked from some of the most vulnerable members of society, and I will continue to push the government to introduce a fairer alternative to this cut.”

Research from charity Age UK has found that 14,127 pensioners in St Albans, and 17,265 in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency are at risk of losing the payment this winter.

Harpenden MP Victoria Collins says that elderly people in her constituency are worried about the changes.Harpenden MP Victoria Collins says that elderly people in her constituency are worried about the changes. (Image: Liberal Democrats) Harpenden's MP Victoria Collins, said: “Since the government announced these plans to cut winter fuel payments, a number of residents have contacted me to raise concerns about how they will cope with soaring energy bills this winter.

“This new government must undoubtedly clear up the dire state the Conservatives left the public finances in, but now is not the time to be cutting support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society."

The government say the changes will save the country £1.4bn this year.