“You don’t fill a £22billion black hole by throwing pensioners in it”.

That was the response of Hampshire County Council’s leader to the Chancellor as dismay continues over the decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Councillors have backed a call for the government to rethink its approach fearing it will leave “many without the support they desperately need.”

The motion by Headley councillor Debbie Curnow-Ford proposed writing to the Chancellor and urging a review of the decision to means-test the payment.

Councillors also agreed to sign Age UK’s ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition, showed support for a Pension Credit sign-up campaign, and made a commitment to designate all Hampshire Libraries as ‘warm hubs’ this winter.

Leader Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “We’ll do all we can to support pensioners most affected by this heartless cut.

“The Government have introduced a means tested system with little thought for where the line is drawn, condemning thousands of pensioners to fuel poverty this winter.”