WES Streeting has told pensioners to “layer up and put the heating on” this weekend as he faced a grilling for axing universal winter fuel payments.
The Health Secretary was challenged on Labour’s decision to strip nearly 10million OAPs of the cash as temperatures plummet.
Campaigners Age UK have warned that 2.5million poorer people who need the money – but have lost out – should go into debt rather than leave the radiators off.
Mr Streeting agreed that Brits should turn up the thermostat and wrap up warm – but defended Rachel Reeves’ controversial Budget measures.
He told BBC Breakfast: “Well this is definitely a weekend to turn the heating on, and I would just remind people that the chancellor did take the decision to protect winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners to protect people this winter and in future winters.
“And of course the triple lock on pensions is guaranteed, so the state pension is higher this winter than it was last year and will be higher further still next year.
“That’s why the chancellor has taken those decisions, to make sure we protect the vulnerable this winter.
“But I would certainly agree that this weekend is a weekend to layer up and put the heating on as well.”
His comments sparked anger among some viewers, with one saying: “Isn’t it a shame that the Labour government made it so hundreds of thousands of pensioners cannot afford to turn the heating on?”
The Conservatives said: “How out of touch can you be?”
Health alerts have been issued across the UK with temperatures set to plunge to -8C with up to 12 inches of snow forecast.
Public health bosses have issued amber alerts for the whole of England from now until January 8.
It comes as the Met Office has also today issued amber weather warnings for both snow and ice.
The UK Health Security Agency warned a rise in deaths is likely, particularly among the elderly and people with health problems.
NHS bosses in the West Midlands have warned locals not to go out early in the morning or late at night, when frost will be thick.
