Winter fuel: thousands more could lose benefit if it becomes means tested, data suggests

A further 175,000 pensioners could lose the winter fuel allowance if the benefit becomes means tested, data suggests.About 11.6 million people in the UK received the benefit last winter, an increase of 214,000 on the previous year, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The overwhelming majority are to have this removed this winter under plans announced by the Labour government to cut spending on the benefit.The increase in recipients is in line with previous rises and is likely to be a result of Britain’s ageing population. The figures show the number of recipients of the winter fuel payment aged 75 and over in Great Britain is rising.It comes before a non-binding vote on Wednesday at the Labour party conference in Liverpool, where the leadership faces possible defeat as delegates oppose the government’s plan to limit the benefit according to people’s means.Only about 14% of the pensioners receiving the £200 or £300 payments…