Up to 100,000 pensioners will be pushed into poverty by the decision to end universal winter fuel payments, the Government has admitted. The revelation was included in an impact assessment conducted by the Department of Work and Pensions and shared with a parliamentary committee.

Gordon Lyons said £17m had been found in Stormont's latest monitoring round allowing help to households affected by the cut. Pensioners in Northern Ireland affected by cuts to winter fuel support are to get a one-off £100 payment from Stormont,

Labour’s Winter Fuel Payment cut will increase pensioner poverty by around 100,000 in 2027, according to Department for Work and Pensions modelling. The Labour Government analysis of the impact of its decision to means-test the payment was published by a Westminster committee.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall revealed the estimate for the impact of the controversial policy in a letter to MPs.

Pensioners in Northern Ireland impacted by winter fuel support cuts are set to get a one-off payment of £100. The communities minister said £17 million had been found in Stormont's latest monitoring round to allow him to help households affected by the new cuts.