Rachel Reeves enrages GMB viewers as she stands firm on cuts as 'pensioners take the hit'

Following yesterday’s Budget announcement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has this morning appeared on the media round to defend her package of fiscal measures.

Ahead of the formal budget, the Chancellor revealed the Winter Fuel Payment would transition to means-tested, meaning only those on the lowest income or receiving other state benefits will receive the money.

The one-off payment of between £200 and £300 for those over the pension age was previously a universal benefit, afforded to all people in the eligible age range regardless of their personal income.

Facing some tough questions over her economic plan, the Chancellor was this morning asked: "Why should the elderly take the hit?"

Rachel Reeves stood firm on her decision, as she told GMB: “It was right to means-test the winter fuel payment.”

The new means-tested benefit will only apply to people claiming some form of state benefit or tax credit, such as pension credit, universal credit or income-related employment and support allowance.

The Chancellor said: “Protecting the winter fuel payment for the poorest pensioners, those who are on pension credit, I’m pleased to be able to do that.

“I did think it was right to means test the winter fuel payment. We’re also working really hard to boost the take-up of pension credit and applications are up by 151 percent.

“This means more people will get not just winter fuel payment this winter, but also the additional support, potentially hundreds, if not thousands of pounds of pension credit as well.”

Pension credit is available to those of state pension age who have an income of less than £218.15 a week, or £332.95 for couples.

Eligibility for pension credit is also restricted depending on the savings and investments an individual has.

The Chancellor further justified the decision to means test the winter fuel payment by emphasising the government’s commitment to the triple lock on state pensions.

Under the triple lock guarantee, the state pension will rise each year by either 2.5 percent, inflation or the average increase in UK wages, whichever figure is higher.

Reeves reported: “Because of our commitment to the triple lock for the duration of this parliament, it means that pensions are likely to rise by around £1,700 during the course of this parliament and next April alone by over £470.”

She added: “That’s obviously worth a lot more than the winter fuel payment we’re withdrawing.”

The £470 increase will apply only to those on the full new state pension, pensioners receiving the full basic state pension will see a weekly increase from £169.50 to £176.45, the equivalent to a £360 annual rise.

The Chancellor's appearance sparked criticism from some viewers, with many still confused as to why cutting winter fuel allowance was the "right choice".

One tweeted: "Neither is a good choice. Putting up fuel duty hits poor people hard as does taking the WFP off pensioners on the margins of PC."

Another added: "There are several issues with withdrawing of the WFA, it wasn’t in the manifesto, it was announced outside of parliament, Reeves hasn’t explained why it was the 'right choice'."

A third said: "She's just stuck on repeat and avoiding the question," while a fourth reacted: "They aren't a new labour lol they're the same old labour."

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.