Protesters are set to descend on the Chancellor’s constituency tomorrow for a rally against winter fuel payment cuts.
The demonstration in Leeds is organised by the Unite trade union and the Yorkshire and Humber Pensioners’ Convention (YHPC).
Rachel Reeves has faced an ongoing backlash over restricting the winter fuel allowance to only the poorest pensioners.
Polling commissioned by Unite shows the majority of people in her Leeds West and Pudsey seat are opposed to the policy.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The campaign opposing the pickpocketing of pensioners is now coming to the chancellor’s own backyard.
“Her own constituents don’t support the policy and neither does the rest of the country.
“The Government needs to rapidly rethink this tin-eared cut. It is simply wrong that winter fuel payments have been slashed while the mega-wealthy remain untouched.”
Polling by Survation shows 67.6% of respondents in Ms Reeves’s seat say it is unfair that pensioners on incomes as low as £220 a week will no longer receive the allowance.
A further 71.8% said they were concered about themselves or a family member being able to afford to put the heating on this winter.
YHPC secretary Fran Postlethwaite added: “Labour ending the universal winter fuel payment will take away a lifeline for millions of pensioners, at a time when energy bills are increasing.
“Around one million pensioners are likely to fall through the cracks, eligible for pension credit and the winter fuel payment but not claiming it. Benefits like this should be universal.
“It’s not too late for Labour to restore this benefit to stop many pensioners from freezing this year.”
The Labour Government has blamed winter fuel cuts on a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied.
The policy means around 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the payments of up to £300 and is expected to save up to £1.5 billion.
But it has been widely condemned by opposition parties, charities and unions.
Unite has threatened legal action over the Government’s decision to means-test winter fuel payments.
