Furious pensioners hound Labour MP out of a pub in anger at winter fuel axe

Labour MP Alex Baker was hounded by angry pensioners at a pub where he was reportedly booed over the winter fuel payment cuts.

A video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter shows people at the pub shouting "Rushmoor people first" & "and our pensioners".

It comes as the new Labour-led Government changed the rules in which only pensioners who qualify for certain benefits will receive it.

It is estimated that only 1.5 million people will be eligible to get the benefit while last winter it was 10.8 million people who got the payment.

The policy, launched by the last Labour government in 1997, costs nearly £2bn per year but Sir Keir Starmer hopes the changes will save taxpayers £1.5bn.

The prime minister said it could help plug the £22bn "black hole" he says exists in the national finances - but the Tories and charities fear it could leave some over-65s cold this winter.

Ms Baker recently shared a detailed statement on her X about the Winter Fuel Payment cut in which she mentioned why she is supporting the policy.

She wrote: "I never expected we would find ourselves facing such a decision and it is extremely regrettable that the Government has been forced into this decision.

"It angers me greatly that the Conservative Government made a series of unfunded spending commitments, left a £22bn black hole in the country's finances, then called an election and ran away from the problem they had created.

"Given the challenging financial situation, we face this year, I hope residents will understand why we have had to priortise Winter Fuel Payments to those most in need rather than paying them to everyone- including the wealthiest in our society."