ADAM Dance MP (Yeovil and South Somerset) said he has been contacted by many pensioners in his constituency who are worried about losing their winter fuel payments.

The government announced plans last month that would see those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits no longer get the annual payments, worth between £100 and £300.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Leeds West and Pudsey) blamed the move on the Conservatives’ handling of public finances, as she said the new Labour government inherited a £22bn “black hole”.

Ms Reeves said Labour would show its commitment to pensioners by maintaining the triple lock, under which the state pension increases each year in line with earnings or inflation, or a minimum of 2.5%.

Adam Dance, along with all 72 other Lib Dem MPs, has now backed a motion in parliament to block the government plans.

Mr Dance said: “I’ve heard from countless pensioners across Yeovil and South Somerset worried about losing this vital support and how they will afford their energy bills this winter.

“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong. It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter.

“That is why me and my fellow Liberal Democrat MPs will do everything we can to block these plans as soon as Parliament returns.

“I recognise that the new government faces difficult choices after the appalling mess left by the Conservatives.

“But a rethink is urgently needed so that poorer and vulnerable pensioners in our community continue to get the support they so desperately need.”

A government spokesperson told The Guardian: “Despite the dire inheritance we received from the previous government, we are taking concrete action to support people as we approach the colder months.

“We are protecting the triple lock, keeping energy bills low through our warm homes plan which will insulate millions of homes, as well as providing the warm homes discount and redoubling our efforts to make sure that all pensioners eligible for winter fuel payments are signed up.

“People can be assured that we will keep working so that no one has to choose between heating and eating this winter.”

Figures compiled by the House of Commons Library, based on data from the Department of Work and Pensions, shows an estimated 22,021 pensioners in Yeovil and South Somerset are at risk of losing their winter fuel payment.

The motion to block the plans are set to be tabled as soon as Parliament returns next week.